Course Catalogue

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This course introduces students to the history of information storage and retrieval via the codex format tracking the development of the book from scroll, to manuscript, to print, and introduces students to books in the digital age (i.e. which tools and interactives are being used/have been developed to communicate rare books and manuscripts to different audiences). The content of the course will be a combination of traditional lectures, object handling sessions in Special Collections, and hands-on making sessions (book making, book binding, and printing).

1 x weekly lecture (1 hour) 1 x weekly experiential learning session (2 hours), either in Special Collections or in a maker space

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Digital Media and Information Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

ARTMED4040 - Books as New Media

INFOSTUD4003 - Books as New Media

None

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Exam (60 minutes) - 40%  

■ Essay (3,000 words) - 60% Or Creative Piece with Reflective Report (1,500 words & Object) - 60% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the exam, but extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustment.

■ There are no alternatives to the essay or creative piece with report, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Evaluate the developing codex format as a means of information storage, retrieval and knowledge exchange

■ Examine the codex format from scroll to manuscript, print and digital using Glasgow's Special Collections materials

■ Examine, use and critically analyse digital tools for displaying, interpreting and communicating rare books and medieval manuscripts

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Define key structures and processes central to the study of book history (i.e. codicology)

■ Use the theoretical principals of book history research to critically analyse the codicology of a rare book or manuscript

■ Articulate the ubiquity of the codex-format for information preservation, retrieval and knowledge exchange across time

■ Recognise and critically evaluate the opportunities and limitations of digital media for communicating the codex