Studying at York
The Medieval Book - MST00065M
- Department: Centre for Medieval Studies
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2022-23
Module summary
Middle English writing is profoundly conditioned by its circumstances of production and dissemination. Hand-crafted and unique, the manuscript invites us to consider how our readings of medieval texts can be modified in light of their material contexts. In other words, how does the material form in which we read a text matter to the meaning of that text?
This course offers an advanced introduction to the challenges of finding, editing, and interpreting Middle English writings from a pre-print culture, with practical instruction in the skills required by editors and literary critics of medieval texts. While some seminars will focus on issues relating to textual criticism, the majority will consider different aspects of codicological study (materials, script, illumination, binding, attribution, provenance, etc.), providing insight into the research methods employed by specialists.
There will be an opportunity for first-hand examination of medieval books where the focus will be on writing a formal description of a manuscript (or a ‘copy-specific’ record of an early printed book). The purpose of this course is to encourage students to look at the Middle English text in its manuscript-form and, as a result, to develop some of the specialist skills necessary for advanced work in medieval studies.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
The aim of this module is to offer you an advanced introduction to the challenges of finding, editing, and interpreting Middle English writings from a pre-print culture, with practical instruction in the skills required by editors and literary critics of medieval texts.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to demonstrate:
1. An enhanced appreciation of the difficulties of establishing the authorial text of medieval literary works and basic skills for preparing editions of such works;
2. The ability to read a medieval literary text in its original context, the handwritten book;
3. Knowledge of the vocabulary of manuscript description and ability to apply information acquired from first-hand examination of manuscript context to the interpretation of texts;
4. Confidence in handling and examining medieval manuscripts;
5. Produce independent arguments and ideas which demonstrate an advanced proficiency in critical thinking, research, and writing skills.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
For the summative assessment task, students will receive their provisional mark and written feedback within 20 working days of the submission deadline. The tutor will then be available during student hours for follow-up guidance if required.
Indicative reading
- Christopher de Hamel, Scribes and Illuminators (London: The British Library, 1992).
- Raymond Clemens and Timothy Graham, Introduction to Manuscript Studies (Cornell University Press, 2007)
- Kathryn Kerby-Fulton, Maidie Hilmo, and Linda Olson, Opening Up Middle English Manuscripts: Literary and Visual Approaches (Cornell University Press, 2012)