HIST-250 Introduction to the History of the Book

How have books been constructed over time? How does the materiality of a particular book create its cultural meaning? What gets preserved, who has access to information, and who makes those decisions? Focusing on the rich materials in Hamilton’s Special Collections, we will examine book history from all angles: from papyrus scrolls through the modern codex, the book trade, mechanisms for controlling and subverting knowledge, the construction of authorship, the social location of books. We will also use the college letterpress to set type, pull a press, and practice simple book-binding.

(Experiential Learning.)

Credits

1.00

Cross Listed Courses

LIT-250

Offered

Fall

Notes

(Intermedia or History).