The course will provide students with a body of knowledge concerning the cultural history of writing and the evolution of material vehicles and graphic forms of the written text from antiquity to the contemporary age, with particular reference to the Latin alphabet. This knowledge, which is necessary for the historical understanding of the forms and contents of written sources, enables the development of basic skills in the reading of ancient, medieval and modern manuscripts, as well as the knowledge of the main tools of research in the archival and bibliographical field.
No prerequisite.
The course is based on lectures, with constant attention to stimulating requests for clarification and in-depth learning. During some lessons of the course, the lecturer will interact with students by asking them to read, under his guidance, parts of the manuscripts shown in the classroom.
The end-of-course exam will take place in oral form; the final vote will be expressed out of 30. Three questions will verify the complete knowledge of the exam program and the key concepts and problems of palaeography.
The teaching programme covers the following topics:
1. The cultural history of writing as a means of expressing ideas and governing societies and territories.
2. The evolution of the material supports of the written text, from the wax tablet to the computer.
3. The graphic evolution of the Latin alphabet from its origins to the contemporary age, with particular attention to the writing of texts in Italian.
For attending students, in addition to the reference texts, the exam program also includes lecture notes. The program for non-attending students includes, in addition to the reference texts for attending students, the additional learning materials listed in the Leganto reading list.
The instructor’s communications to students will be sent via email through the e-learning platform. Therefore, students must promptly register for the course’s e-learning area. All students are required to regularly check the e-learning area and download the indicated materials.
Erasmus students or students with an Individualized Education Plan or Personalized Didactic Plan are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course.
