The Book. History and Techniques of Analysis
The University of St Andrews offers a unique combination of expertise on the history of the book. High-profile projects such as the French Vernacular Book Project, the Universal Short title Catalogue and the Protestant Latin Bible Project are all proof of the vitality of research into the book world. The history of the book group has also in recent years welcomed high-profile scholars from other institutions such as Robert Darnton and Jean-François Gilmont.
This is complemented by an active conference culture around the theme of book history. Recent conferences include:
- The Early Modern Book World (November, 2011)
- Documenting the Early Modern Book World: Inventories and Catalogues in Manuscript and Print (July, 2011)
- Medical books in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries (January 2011)
- The Book Triumphant: the book in the second century of print, 1540-1640. (September 2009)
- The Book in Transition: the printed book in the post-incunabula age, 1500-1540. (September 2008)
- Society for the Study of French History Conference on the theme “libraries and archives”. (July 2007)
Degree:
This degree offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the book world from the inception of the printed book in the 15th century to the invention of the mechanised press in the 19th century.
This is intended as a postgraduate training course for student intending to proceed to advanced work in the history of early modern print culture, and for those interesting in exploring a career as a rare book specialist in libraries, antiquarian booksellers or auction houses.
The course combines training in the history of the book with specialist instruction in bibliographical description and cataloguing of early printed books. Students will also be able to enrol for training courses in Latin, palaeography and modern European languages.
Course structure:
Each student will take the core course as well as 2 further taught modules (course work) and write a dissertation.Core course: The Hand Press Book from Renaissance to Romanticism.
The course will provide students (who may have little or no knowledge of the subject) with an understanding of key issues in the production, consumption, and historiography of printed books ca.1445-1830. It will also inculcate an awareness of methods and resources relevant to the study of book history in the period concerned. The course will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue further study in the field and the potential to complete successfully the other requirements of the M.Litt.
Taught modules:
Directed reading module: The student will follow a course of directed reading with one of the participating members of staff of their choice.
Dissertation: A 15,000 word dissertation is written between April and August, and provides students with an opportunity to pursue independent research. Each student will be assigned an appropriate supervisor, who will guide their research and writing via regular meetings.
Resources
Students will be encouraged to work with original printed books from the large selection of early printed books of the special collections of the University of St Andrews library (http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/specialcollections/).
Those enrolled on the course will also have access to the developing data files of the Universal Short Title Catalogue 15/16, an analytical database of all books published throughout Europe before 1601. For further information see the project website: www.ustc.ac.uk.
Students on this course will have access to some of the most advanced on-line resources such as Heritage of the Printed Book (HPB) Database as well ascollections of digitalised early printed books such as Early English Books Online (EEBO) and Early European Books. They will also be able to use more focused collections such as Anti-Calvin and The Huguenots.
Enquiries to the School of History, University of St Andrews (pghist@st-andrews.ac.uk), or to the course director, Dr Matthew McLean (mam5@st-andrews.ac.uk)
