The History of The Book Workshop – Jun 2019

Lead Tutors: Malcolm Noble and Miriam Gill

Course Description

In how many different ways can you we read a book? Or to put it another way, what do the physical characteristics of books and other printed materials tell us about the society and cultures in which they are produced?

Together we will consider some of the answers these questions in terms of how we can study books as physical objects. Our focus will be on the technical aspects of how books are written, designed, typeset, printed, distributed, and circulated, rather than on more literary approaches to their contents.

Scholars joining this workshop will gain a basic understanding of descriptive bibliography so that they can consider historic books as physical objects, understanding how to find clues as to their production, and how to use this information as a basis for further research.

This workshop will give scholars insights into this approach to studying the history of the book, which they may choose to follow up on a longer module. During the one-day workshop students will be invited to participate in the design of this longer course. Finally, we will briefly consider the future of the book and the publishing industry.

Scholars are invited to bring with them a book from home which is of some interest or significance to them.

This course is non-accredited but taught at FHEQ level 4/ Higher Education level 1: this is the same level as the first year of a degree.

Please note that a minimum of 10 students are required to run the workshop sessions.

Concessions: we are able to offer a limited number of places at concession rates for those on benefits or under the tax threshold. Please contact us using the contact form for more information.