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ARCV41330

Academic Year 2026/2027

Introduction to Palaeography: Medieval and Early Modern Scripts (ARCV41330)

Subject:
Archivistics
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Elizabeth Mullins
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides an introduction to medieval and early modern palaeography. Using mainly Irish and British manuscripts and archives as case studies, students will be introduced to the scope of palaeography as a discipline. The module explores the significance of understanding the ways that manuscripts were produced and the specialist language used to describe manuscript sources. It introduces the main techniques that are used to identify, describe and transcribe a series of medieval and early modern scripts, including Insular majuscule and minuscule, Gothic textura, anglicana and secretary. The module sets the development of handwriting in the context of broader social and political change within Ireland and Great Britain and explores how scripts were influenced by European scribal traditions. It outlines the basic principles and the key practices of editing a medieval text, considers the role of digital platforms and AI in increasing the accessibility of manuscript material and introduces students to the ways that palaeography contributes to the related discipline of fragmentology.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Define key palaeographical concepts;
Transcribe a range of scripts;
Describe a range of scripts in terms of characteristic letter forms, ligatures, abbreviation, punctuation;
Assess the impact of function and historical context on the appearance of scripts;
Demonstrate awareness of the main techniques used to identify scripts within their manuscript context.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas: Week 1: Introduction to Palaeography and the Roman System of Scripts; Week 2 Insular Majuscule; Week 3 Insular Minuscule; Week 4: The Gaelic Tradition Week 5 Introduction to Gothic ; Week 6 Gothic; Week 7: Student presentations on various scripts Weeks 8 Reading week; Weeks 9 -12 Secretary Hand.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Proficient

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Proficient

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Proficient

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Proficient

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Competent

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Proficient

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

50

Seminar (or Webinar)

20

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
‘This is a small-group module. It is taught through a two-hour weekly seminar. The seminar provides an overview of the key features of the script which is being discussed using each script to introduce the language and method of palaeography. Each seminar then focuses upon individual active / task-based learning by means of in-class transcription exercises carried out individually or as part of a group and then group discussion to identify the features of the script evident in the text transcribed. Advanced research, writing and transcription skills are developed through the completion of numerous class transcriptions and through assignments which allow students to focus on the discussion of the scripts of particular manuscripts. Autonomous learning is advanced through discussion of various texts and the occasional provision of practice texts for transcription from one week to the next. While there will be discussion in this module of the extent to which generative AI is being used to assist with palaeographical work, generative AI may not be used in assessments for the module. If you have any concerns about what is included in the remit of generative AI, please consult with your Module Coordinator. A proportion of written assignments in each module in the School of History are subject to moderation, meaning they undergo a second layer of review by another grader.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Introduction to Palaeography (HIS41330)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment linked to later medieval/early modern hands. Week 14 Graded No
50
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Presentation linked to script or manuscript. Week 9 Graded No
50
No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written feedback is provided individually to students in Brightspace. Group / class feedback is given orally after the first assignment. Students are able to avail of individual feedback meetings by appointment after both assignments.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Niamh Pattwell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 12:00 - 13:50