History of the Book

Catalog description

This course provides an overview of book history from the invention of the hand-written codex through the printing press and current digital manifestations, including electronic texts and Google Books. Students will examine rare materials in hands-on settings and during field trips to special collections libraries; try out historical techniques of writing, printing, and manufacture; and investigate the many social roles involved in creating and using books, including those of author, editor, printer, publisher, reader, and seller.