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 introductory course deals with the history of the printed book in the West. Central themes are the transition from manuscript to print, censorship, the development of copyright, technical and organisational changes in book production and distribution, reading and book collecting, the emergence of a public sphere, the physical appearance of the book, and the impact of the printed book on society. During the course, students will be given small research assignments, which they will at times work on in groups. They are invited to join in the collective discussion of reading material.
Students work on a Mid-term assignment focusing on a handpress book of their choice, kept in the Leiden University Libraries or elsewhere. Students make relevant visits to libraries holding important collections of handpress books.
Course objectives
Students acquire a general knowledge of the history of the printed book in the West from the invention of printing to the present;
Students become familiar with the methods and tools used in book historical research, both in terms of traditional reference works and in terms of more novel, digital platforms and tools.
Students reflect on the development of the book as a material object, and how this relates to changing subjects in print, changing audiences, and the shifting roles of actors surrounding the book, such as authors, printers, and publishers.
Students become aware of the position of the printed book within society throughout the ages, and are able to reflect on how the historical development of the book industry holds lessons for today’s society.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Research
Excursion
Assessment method
Assessment
Written examination with essay questions (70%)
Essay, paper (30%)
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
In the case of a fail students are entitled to re-write the examination and/or small assignment.
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 can be organised by e-mailing the lecturer.
Reading list
We will read selected chapters from Simon Eliot & Jonathan Rose (eds.), A Companion to the History of the Book (Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell, 2020). Access to this volume is provided by Leiden University Library. You can access the book on-site only, but can download it for your own use.
Any additional literature will be made available through Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
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