Admission requirements
None.
Description
This course is devoted to books made in England prior to the introduction of the printing press. It provides an overview of the different kind of manuscripts available in medieval England (both in Latin and the vernacular), with an emphasis on the period 1100-1500. What do the objects look like and how may we explain their material features? Who produced them and for whom were they made? Is there a relationship between form and function, or between form and intended user? The course expressly emphasizes how information about the material book may be incorporated in studies that are primarily aimed at texts. Each weekly seminar will put centre stage one particular canonical manuscript (e.g. the Beowulf manuscript, the Vernon manuscript) as well as one particular aspect of book culture (e.g. scribes, compilation techniques, commercial production of books).
Course objectives
- To introduce students to the culture of the handwritten book in medieval England.
- To demonstrate the broad range of books in which literature circulated in medieval England.
- To develop a critical understanding of how knowledge of medieval books may be employed in other disciplines, especially the study of literature.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Weekly seminars.
Course Load
Total course load: 280 hours.
Attending seminars: 28 hours.
Studying compulsory readings: 100 hours.
Class presentation: 10 hours.
Preparing weekly discussion questions: 21 hours.
Paper 1 (short): 46 hours.
Paper 2 (long): 75 hours.
Assessment method
Longer essay: 50%.
Shorter essay: 20%
Submitting discussion questions: 10%
Presentation: 10%
Class participation: 20%
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used facilitating discussion, providing additional readings.
Reading list
Morgan, N.J. and Thomson, R.M. (2014), The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain: Volume 2, 1100-1400 (Cambridge University Press). Paperback. Also available online via UB Leiden OPC.
Gillespie, A. and Wakelin, D. (2014), The Production of Books in England 1350-1500 (Cambridge University Press). Paperback.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 527 2251 or mail.
When registering students of the MA Literary studies take priority. The deadline for registration is August 15. All other students should contact the coordinator of studies: Ms S.J. de Kok, MA.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Literary Studies student administration Van Wijkplaats 3, room 002. Tel. 071 527 2251 or e-mail.
Coordinator of studies: Mr. J. Donkers, MA, P.N. van Eyckhof 3, room 1.01b.
Remarks
None