Print Culture and the History of the Book, 1450-1800

Students will learn the historical background and bibliographic skills needed to use printed books from the hand-press period (1450-1800) in their own research. Readings and discussions will focus on: the material culture of the printed book and its impact on Western society; the technical aspects of printing and publishing in the hand-press period, including binding techniques/styles, print illustration processes, bibliographic description; and how bibliographic studies can inform humanities scholarship. This course will be partially embedded in the Middlebury Special Collections Library, and students will conduct original research on a book of their choosing from the collection.