From medieval manuscripts to digital editions

general courses

Classroom and field classes

Introduction to manuscript studies. Special reference is given to medieval and early modern manuscripts, other types of sources for the study of early literacy and editorial methodology (different types of editions - printed and digital). Students study the basic aspects of manuscript culture; they analyse the structure, content and form of manuscripts; they study the development of the Latin script and analyse samples of texts in manuscripts rendition vs. later editions. The materials for the course come from British repositories (digital) and Special Collections from Warsaw University Library. During the course students take part in manuscript workshops at the Special Collections in the University of Warsaw Library.

The course is an introduction to manuscript studies. Special reference is given to medieval and early modern manuscripts, other types of sources for the study of historical literacy and editorial methodology.

During the course students:

- study the basic aspects of manuscript culture;

- learn about the structure, content and form of manuscripts (e.g. types of manuscripts and their functions, elements of codicology);

- study the development of the Latin script;

- get to know the medieval scriptorium, the work of scribes and the tools used for the production of manuscripts;

- analyse different types of illumination and ornamentation used in luxurious codices and in „ordinary” manuscripts;

- analyse the impact of the printing press on manuscript culture;

During the course students also study other types of sources relevant for early literacy and history (e.g. artefacts of material culture, such as the Bayeux Tapestry, runic inscriptions, Franks Casket) and analyse different types of editions (from traditional printed to modern digital editions). Working with samples from manuscripts and editions gives students an opportunity to analyse the divergences between the original and the edited text.

The materials for the course are based on the digital resources (mainly form repositories and special collections in Britain) and on the resources from the Special Collections in Warsaw University Library. During the course students take part in manuscript workshops in the University of Warsaw Library.

English language skills required (level: minimum B1).

Selected primary sources:

The Exeter Anthology of Old English Poetry. The Exeter DVD. 2006. University of Exeter Press. Muir, B. J. (ed.); (software N. Kennedy).

A Digital Facsimile of Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Junius 121. Oxford: Bodleian Library. 2004. Muir, B. J. (ed.); (software N. Kennedy).

Electronic Beowulf 4.0, Kiernan K. (ed.); (E. Iacob, software)

A Facsimile Edition of the Vernon Manuscript, Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Eng. Poet. A. 1. Scase, W. (ed.); (N. Kennedy, software).

Selected secondary sources:

Clements, R. and T. Graham (2007) Introduction to Manuscript Studies. Cornell University Press.

De Hamel, Ch. 2016. Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts. Allen Lane.

Gehin, Paul (2008): Jak czytać średniowieczny rękopis (tłum. Beaty Spieralskiej). Warszawa.

Owen-Crocker, G. R. (ed.) (2009) Working with Anglo-Saxon manuscripts. Exeter: University of Exeter Press.

Robinson, F. (1994) The editing of Old English. Oxford: Blackwell.

Scott, K. L. (2007) Tradition and innovation in later medieval English manuscripts. London: British Library.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

- demonstrate an understanding of the basic aspects of manuscript studies and editorial methodology; use the relevant terminology;

- identify the major differences between the original manuscript recension and editorial representation;

- demonstrate an understanding of the basic aspects of codicology and palaeography;

- critically evaluate selected types of historical sources relevant for the study of medieval literacy;

- demonstrate their knowledge of the best-known English manuscripts and selected manuscripts from the Special Collections in the University of Warsaw Library.

Education at language level B2+

Elective course for the II-level (MA) students.

Grading: midterm test; final test; a retake test during the retake exam session

The assessment is based on the final test (80%). Other assessment criteria include: active participation in class discussion, submission of assignments

Two absences are allowed

Non-applicable