Admission requirements
This course is an elective 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 course interrogates the status of the medieval manuscript and early print book as an object of study, interaction and desire. It investigates how the book object transformed in the medieval and early modern period into a reference tool for information storage – accompanied by indexes, bookmarkers, contents tables and other devices – and how that reference tool in turn became a prized object to collect, store and display. It examines how readers interacted with their books, and the traces we can use to reconstruct reading practices. It looks at ownership and collection habits, assessing evidence available regarding how books were arranged and stored, examining the status of the medieval and early modern library. Finally, it explores the concept of ‘bookishness’, an embracing of – or even fetishization of –the physicality of the book object, and examines how such a fascination with the materiality of the book can be traced from practices of contemporary heritage institutions back to the medieval period.
Throughout students will be introduced to up-to-date scholarship on the relevant course themes, along with traditional and digitally-informed research methods. An important sub-theme of the course is the presentation of the (manuscript) book in contemporary heritage institutions – such as libraries, digitized portals, and (online) exhibitions – with students invited to query how the digitial can enhance and transform our understanding of the historic book, particularly in libraries and other curatorial contexts.
Course objectives
Students will learn how:
to critically appraise features of books in manuscript and print form which facilitated information presentation and directed reading experiences;
to identify features which may suggest how books were utilised in practice, through in-person and digital examination of manuscript and print, along with examining other relevant primary sources;
to learn and apply book historical methodologies in exploring, contextualising, and assessing primary and secondary sources, including those relevant for working with digitised materials;
to work independently on two written outputs showing a nuanced understanding of material developments in the book and their impact on intellectual culture, one for a public audience, and one for an academic readership.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
Assignment 1: Primary and secondary source analysis (2 x 10%)
Assignment 2: Public engagement output (e.g. blogpost, mini exhibition, social media content, podcast), with supporting process-related reflective documentation (30%)
Assignment 3: Written assignment (50%)
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average. In addition to obtaining a weighted final average of 5.5 or above, students must receive at least 6.0 in the third assignment in order to pass the course.
Resit
The student will have to consult with the instructor to arrange a resit of one or all components.
Inspection and feedback
How and when a paper review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the paper results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the paper results, a paper review will be organised.
Reading list
A reading list will be provided at the start of the course.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap 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.