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Academic Year 2000/2001

The Cultural History of Reading and Writing
COL 278 FA
Crosslistings:
HIST 278
MDST 278

Does reading have a history? Is the act of writing the same at all times and in all places? In this seminar we explore these questions about the cultural history of reading and writing over the period from late antiquity to the 18th century. As we follow the change from script to print, we will have direct experience of handling surviving written artifacts during visits to Wesleyan's own collection of rare manuscripts and books. In a series of case studies, we will also investigate what writing an d books meant to some ordinary people--an illiterate English mystic of the 15th century, a stubborn Italian peasant of the 16th century, and a Jewish woman merchant of the 16th century.

MAJOR READINGS

L. Febvre and H. Martin, THE COMING OF THE BOOK H.J. Graff, THE LEGACIES OF LITERACY M. Kempe, THE BOOK OF MARGERY KEMPE C. Ginzburg, THE CHEESE AND THE WORMS Gluckel, MEMOIRS OF GLUCKEL OF HAMELN

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short (4pp.) papers and oral presentations; one longer paper (10pp.). Active participation in class discussion.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No late papers. Active participation in discussion is a requirement. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA COL    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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