Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The rise of the internet, digital and social media has brought about what has been described as an information revolution. This has transformed the ways in which we engage with each other and share information. Four hundred years ago a similar revolution occurred in Europe following the invention of the printing press and the subsequent expansion in the production and circulation of printed material. This module offers an opportunity to explore this important cultural transformation and its impact on European society.

The module will consider the explosion of print in the early modern period (c.1500-1800) from the perspective of authors, editors, translators, printers, craftsman, and readers. The module draws on staff expertise in early modern print culture, translations, and visual culture. Through collaboration with the Philip Robinson Library, students will have opportunities to interact directly with early modern material held in Special Collections. They will also be able to draw on the database of early modern British printed images (http://www.bip1700.org.uk) which is hosted by Newcastle University.

Aims:
- To introduce students to the theme of the production of and engagement with print in the early modern period.
- To provide opportunities for them to explore and research this topic through direct engagement with and analysis of a range of primary sources.
- To guide them in engaging with the broader historiographical debates around literacy, print culture, and the public sphere.
- To encourage them to think about books from this period as material objects that were produced as a result of collaborative partnerships between authors, editors, printers, craftsmen, and readers.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics may include:
- The Printing Revolution
- The Public Sphere
- Books as Material Objects
- Editions and Translations
- Images and Texts.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students should have gained an understanding of the nature and impact of the first information revolution. They will have an understanding of the context in which that revolution took place including changes in literacy levels and printing techniques. They will be familiar with different types of printed material and with the different textual, visual and material elements of early modern printed books. They will be able to draw educated and informed conclusions about the impact of the changes seen during this period for authors, craftsmen, and readers. Students will have acquired a systematic understanding of relevant knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the field. They will have displayed originality in the application of their knowledge and practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. They will have practised conceptual understanding that enables them to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module students should be confident about analysing the material features of early modern books including elements such as title pages, dedications, prefaces, typefaces, images and bindings. They will also have developed skills in research, critical reading and reasoning, and appropriate presentation of their findings. They will have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship. They will have dealt with complex issues both systematically and creatively, made sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicated their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. They will also have demonstrated skills of self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and developed time management skills related to the planning and implementing of tasks at a professional or equivalent level. They will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility and the research skills required for further study.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Seminars encourage independent study and promote improvements in oral communication, problem-solving skills and adaptability. Seminars at MA level allow students to share perspectives in their reading and personal research interests as well as to engage in advanced-level critical discussion of the problems and issues surrounding the theme under review.

Workshops provide students with practical experience of engaging with, analysing, and interpreting primary material including original copies of early modern books and images. They will have opportunities to interact with each other, academics, and library professionals while working with the materials. A workshop directed towards the assessment will help students to prepare for that task.

Surgery time provides the opportunity for students to have individual discussions with staff regarding their assessment for the module. This means that individual problems can be picked up on and dealt with in advance of submission.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Explanatory Exhibition Text provides the students with an opportunity to demonstrate the specific skills they will have developed on the course. These include careful analysis of primary sources (taking account not just of their content, but also of material features), the presentation of key information to a general audience, and the use of relevant software to do so.

The Final Essay allows students to demonstrate the knowledge they have gained from the module and to reflect on some of the general themes that have been explored. It also tests their abilities to conduct research and summarise a wealth of material in a succinct and articulate fashion.

The formative essay plan helps students to present a strong essay and to think about argument and structure in advance.

Work submitted during the delivery of the module forms a means of determining student progress. Submitted work tests knowledge outcomes and develops skills in research, reading and writing'.

General Notes

N/A