Admission requirements
This course is a core module for students on the MA Book and Digital Media Studies (or exchange students admitted to this programme). Students from other programmes are welcome to approach the course coordinator for admission, but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Description
This seminar course introduces the manuscript as a significant cultural artefact: a bearer of traditions of reading and writing in the European Middle Ages. Every manuscript is an individual product, distinguished by the use of a variety of writing supports, characteristic scribal hands, and a unique combination of texts. Students shall be introduced to the processes which would have been involved in the creation of a medieval manuscript: the conventions of production, common scripts, and the distinctive material features of particular genres of texts. Aside from investigating how manuscripts were produced, the course also looks in detail at how they were used, examining traces (such as notes and drawings) left behind by readers and later owners. A number of sessions will be held at the University Library where students will get to work with medieval manuscripts from Leiden's world-leading collection. We will also explore the impact of digitisation on manuscript research methodologies. The course offers a unique chance to learn about and interact with handwritten books from the early Middle Ages to the dawn of print.
Course objectives
Students will
develop a critical understanding of how medieval manuscripts were produced and used, and express their findings in written assignments;
analyse and employ research methods used to study and describe medieval manuscripts in both physical and digital research contexts;
analyse and reflect on the contribution of the medieval manuscript book to the broader history of communication and media.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
Written assignment 1: 30%
Written assignment 2: 70%
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average. To pass the course, students must receive at least a pass grade (6.0) in the second written assignment.
Attendance is compulsory and absence on three occasions or more may entail your removal from the course or require the submission of additional assignments to make up credit. Please contact the course coordinator if there are compelling reasons for absence (e.g. sickness, family emergency).
Resit
Resit opportunities will be offered for both assignments.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Clemens, R. and Graham, T. (2007), Introduction to Manuscript Studies (Cornell University Press). This book is used extensively throughout the course and students are advised to purchase their own copy.
A reading list will be provided at the start of the course and additional reading will be prescribed on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal.
Remarks
Not applicable