Admission Requirements
None.
Description
This course offers an introduction to the long history of the Western manuscript book and covers a number of aspects of medieval book production and consumption in Europe. The main focus of the course will be a survey of aspects of medieval book production in Western Europe. These include physical materials, quire make-up, design, illumination, binding, etcetera. The methodology of manuscript analysis and description will also be discussed. To illustrate the theoretical component of this course, practical issues will be demonstrated using the valuable collections at the Leiden University library.
Course Objectives
Gain knowlegde of the terminology, methodology and results of western codicology and paleography (through lectures and secondary literature)
Gain practical expertise in analysing and describing medieval codices (through practical seminars)
Being able to apply the knowledge, insights and expertise thus acquired so as to able to (1) adequately analyse and describe the medieval manuscript book with respect to form and function; (2) use the secondary literature critically; (3) place the world of the handwritten book in the wider context of human communication.
Timetable
The timetable will be available from July 1 onwards on the Department website.
Mode of Instruction
Two-hour seminar per week.
Assessment
Assignments and final paper.
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
- Introduction to manuscript studies / Raymond Clemens and Timoty Graham. – Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2007.
Registration
Students can register through uSis.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Contact information
Department Book and Digital Media Studies, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102c. Phone: 071 527 2144, or by mail: bookstudies@hum.leidenuniv.nl.