Reading and the Public Space in de Middle Ages

Admission requirements

Not applicable

Description

Outside the monasteries, centres of Latin learning, knowledge was usually transmitted orally and in the vernacular. From the 12th century onwards the vernacular was used more and more for writing. Until circa 1300 these vernacular texts usually have an epic or lyrical context; by the late Middle Ages the vernacular is increasingly used for the transfer of philosophical, juridical, moral and practical knowledge, not only at court but also in a civic context. In general, Latin and vernacular texts are recorded in manuscripts, but there is also a ‘literature’ of a more public nature, such as the use of letter characters, inscriptions and entire texts in and on buildings, paintings, furniture, dress and so on. This public appearance of text increases significantly in the course of time. Such texts often perform autonomously, but sometimes accompany images. The diversity is enormous, and may vary from building inscriptions in Latin to graffiti, and from magical letters to prayer texts, from urban regulations to proverbs. What was there to be read in the public space, what were the intentions, what was the relationship between text and image and what was the function of such public texts, what do the texts tell us about the use of the public space, and who was the audience?

Course objectives

• Knowledge
  Students gain knowledge of the phenomenon of literature in the public space (such as letter characters, inscriptions and texts in and on buildings, paintings, etc.), where they can be found in specific places and where they sometimes accompany images.

• Insight
  Students learn how to interpret such texts in their cultural-historical context and will develop insights in the relationship between text and image in the public space

• Skills
  Students practice interpreting images in their context (be it buildings, paintings, dress, or manuscripts) and finding, analyzing, processing and commenting on primary texts and scholarly literature

Timetable

See for schedules of courses and exams http://www.hum.leiden.edu/icd/education/

Mode of instruction

Seminar (2 hours a week), with excursion

Assessment method

Paper (70%), oral presentation (20%), discussion (10%)

Blackboard

The Blackboard is used to present a course overview from week to week, a reading list, recommended reading, and for communication with students.

Reading list

To be announced on Blackboard (January 2011)

Registration

Students have to apply for this course with the registration system of the university uSis. General information about registration with uSis you can find here in Dutch and in English

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply

Contact information

Please contact the instructor, prof dr W. van Anrooij or dr. E. den Hartog

Remarks

For more information consult the website from the Institute for Cultural Disciplines