HIS33080 Art of the Renaissance Book

Academic Year 2024/2025

*** Not available in the academic year indicated above ***

Imagine immersing yourself in the very origins of printing, uncovering how this groundbreaking technology evolved, spread, and transformed society. In this module, you will delve deep into the heart of the book trade, exploring the economics and market dynamics that shaped the industry. You will peel back the layers of social, religious, and cultural contexts that surrounded the printed word. But you will pay particular attention to the art of the book in the Renaissance. Book art is not just a study of aesthetics; it is a vibrant window into the cultural soul of the era, offering insights into the minds of those who penned and published these works, as well as those who lost themselves in their pages. Whether you are drawn to the economics of the trade, the societal shifts brought about by print, or the artistry of early graphic design, this module promises a rich, multidimensional and multimodal exploration of how the book became a cornerstone of modern culture.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, you will gain:

An awareness of different sources and methods used to explore the vibrant history of the early printed book, including some cutting-edge techniques in big data analysis

An understanding of the evolution and development of printing technology, from around 1450 to 1600

An understanding of the economics/market dynamics that influenced the book trade

An understanding of the cultural implications of the printed word, and how print media contributed to shaping ideologies and spreading knowledge

An appreciation of the art and aesthetic design of the Renaissance book

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

20
Specified Learning Activities

90
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

210
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small-group, seminar-based module. The core of the module is the two-hour seminar. The weekly seminar is focused upon individual active / task-based learning by means of class debates, discussion and student presentations. A weekly 'lecture' slot has also been scheduled. This is a flexible time slot - sometimes this will provide opportunities to offer contextual background or explore areas linked to each week's topic, to visit to Special Collections, or to offer one-to-one support for the development of your final research project. Advanced research, writing and citation skills are developed through a combined individual student presentation on primary sources and written essay, and a semester-long 3-4,000 word research project. Autonomous learning is advanced through student-led debate and discussion of set primary sources and / or student presentations each week 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Participation in Learning Activities: Contributions to in-class discussions ; presentation(s); group-work n/a Graded No

25
Assignment(Including Essay): Gobbet - book illustration n/a Graded No

25
Assignment(Including Essay): 3,000-4000 word research essay n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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?

Not yet recorded.