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Course Outline
This is mainly a course about the history of books and libraries. Students are introduced to the making of documents and books, the building and operation of libraries. Along with these two main concepts students will have the opportunity to hear how the history of reading and readership changed over centuries.
Key concepts introduced include:
- Making material for scripts. From the Ancient to the Medieval world
- Codex becomes a popular medium
- The book as art
- Libraries and architecture (classical times, medieval world, national libraries)
- The readership along centuries. A social history
- The revolution of Printing and the profession of printer
- Popular and forbidden books
Students will be able to understand and discuss the main ideas concerning the history of books and libraries. This course includes perspectives ranging from social history to material history.
At the end of the course, students will be asked to participate in oral or written exams.