To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide the tools of the disciplines of the book to introduce students to the study and critical analysis of the practices of mise en page, that is, of the layout of the page between text and decoration/illustration, with particular attention to medieval manuscripts.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1) Recognize the main types of manuscripts, discussing about the differences between shapes and dimensions of books, especially in relation to their texts and to the evolution in book production
2) Recognize materials and manufacturing techniques employed in book production
3) Argue the balance between writing and decoration in the different types of books in base on principles of readability and effort-saving, as well as on the search for aesthetic harmony and on graphical tradition
4) Recognize the economic and cultural context behind the creation of an ancient book
5) Argue and analyze the ways of the circulation of books
6) Identify and consider the diversity of paratexts and the editorial strategies of the ancient booksand, consequently, the editorial strategies of modern books

Program

During the course, the following topics will be covered:
a) Disciplines for the study of rare books
b) Mediaeval manuscripts: history, morphology, materials
c) The professions linked to book production
d) The basis of each graphic choice and mise en page, in reference to textual and graphic traditions, to writing and decoration practices
e) Analysis of internal and external elements of the books and their importance in the editorial strategies
f) Book commerce
g) Valorisation of manuscripts and rare books collections; main description and cataloguing methods

The course will consist of:
a) Lectures;
b) Visits to the Library of Castello del Buonconsiglio (Trento). These visits will provide a good opportunity to analyse some mediaeval manuscripts and to discuss about the topics already covered in class.
Students will be required not only to study, but also to put in practice what will be discussed during the lectures: during the course, each student will be given a manuscript to analyse. A detailed report of said manuscript will be a part of the final exam.

Additional books and articles will be proposed during the course.

Examination Methods

The exam will be oral and will consist of:
I) An exposition of the report on the assigned manuscript;
II) A discussion about the topics covered during the lectures.
The exam will not only evaluate the student general knowledge of the subject, but also the ability to use the specific technical language and, above all, the ability to use the topic discussed during the lectures in the final report.