History and Culture of the Book ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course examines books as multifaceted phenomena: historical artifacts, artistic canvases, technological milestones, and cultural influencers. Students will examine the origins of writing and the lifecycle of the book as an historical, artistic, technological, and cultural phenomenon. This course traces the journey of "books" from the earliest writing systems to modern digital formats. Students will engage with a range of materials and perspectives, from ancient manuscripts to modern ebooks, to understand the enduring significance of the book. Students will appreciate the book not only as a container of text but also as a pivotal cultural object that reflects and shapes human thought and history.