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Class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30–4:45 p.m., in the Richard Rawlinson Center for Anglo-Saxon Studies and Manuscript Research (113E Walwood Hall), except on the following days, when class meets in Special Collections of Waldo Library: January 26, March 23, March 25, April 13, and April 15.The following required text is available for purchase in the University Bookstore and at the WMU bookstore in the Bernhard Center:
- Raymond Clemens and Timothy Graham, Introduction to Manuscript Studies (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2007)
Students, especially those who expect to continue working with medieval manuscript sources, should consider purchasing:
- Bernhard Bischoff, Latin Palaeography: Antiquity and the Middle Ages, trans. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín and David Ganz (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990)
- Albert Derolez, The Palaeography of Gothic Manuscript Books: From the Twelfth to the Early Sixteenth Century, Cambridge Studies in Palaeography and Codicology, 9 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003)
- Cappelli, Adriano, ed. Lexicon Abbreviaturarum: Dizionario di Abbreviature Latine ed Italiane. 6th ed. (Milan: Hoepli, 1967) [frequently reprinted]
Students are responsible for writing three identification and description exercises on assigned reproductions of medieval manuscripts, three transcriptions of assigned passages from assigned sources, a seminar report, and a glossary of specialist terms, as well as the completion of reading assignments and participation in class discussion. Much class time will be taken up with the discussion of examples, prepared in advance by the students, of the scripts examined in the course. A full letter grade will be deducted for any assignments delivered after their due date. Written assignments must be submitted in hard copy, unless other arrangements are made with the instructor in advance.
- Each student will write three identification and description essays on assigned reproductions of medieval manuscripts (600-1000 words each). The essays should present an identification (exact, if possible, or generic) of the manuscript’s text, a coherent paleographic analysis, and a proposed dating and localization of the manuscript, citing apposite comparanda. Students must work independently from one another on these assignments, which are due on February 25, March 25, and April 20. (45% of the final grade)
- Each student will prepare three transcriptions of assigned passages prepared from facsimiles of medieval manuscripts. These are due on February 18, March 11, and March 18. (15% of the final grade)
- Each student will present a 20-minute seminar report on a manuscript or manuscript fragment housed in Waldo Library’s Department of Special Collections. A progress report (200-300 words) is due on February 11. The seminar reports will be given on April 13 and 15. (10% of the final grade)
- Working from the required readings and other sources, each student will compile a glossary of 60 specialist terms. In the event that a definition is taken from a published source, that source must be cited. A working version including at least 25 of the required terms is due on February 4, and the final glossary is due on April 8. (10% of the final grade)
- Participation in class discussion is required. Much of the class discussion will revolve around examples of the scripts covered in the course. Some of the class discussion will be focused on assigned readings. (20% of the final grade)
In accordance with the WMU Graduate Catalog, grades carry the significance indicated:
A |
Outstanding, Exceptional |
4.0 |
BA |
|
3.5 |
B |
Very Good |
3.0 |
CB |
|
2.5 |
C |
|
2.0 |
DC |
|
1.5 |
D |
|
1.0 |
E |
Failing |
0.0 |
X |
Failure (Unofficial Withdrawal) |
0.0 |
W |
Official Withdrawal |
|
I |
Incomplete |
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The grade of incomplete will be given only when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond the control of the student prevent completion of course requirements by the end of the semester.
It is an absolute prerequisite for the course that the student possess an elementary grasp of Latin (the equivalent of one semester of college Latin). Although no knowledge of modern foreign languages is assumed, students may be working with some texts in foreign languages for written assignments. Many assignments require work in Special Collections of Waldo Library. Students should be aware that the Department of Special Collections has limited hours. They will need to plan their schedules accordingly.
Written assignments are expected to be in clear strong prose and professionally presented, following the Chicago Manual of Style. The instructor considers Strunk and White (The Elements of Style) to be a good guide to effective writing.
Students are expected to attend class regularly. Any absence must be explained to the instructor, in advance when possible, in person, via e-mail, or by phone.
The only e-mail address that should be used for communication between WMU students and WMU faculty and staff is the e-mail address associated with a BroncoNet ID.
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