About This Course

This innovative course in calligraphy and paleography is influenced by digital humanities, blending the practice of calligraphy with learning how to read historical Hispanic manuscripts. The course offers an immersive educational experience with carefully chosen materials, set against the backdrop of six historical scenarios to place students into the context of manuscript production.

Targeted primarily at professionals in archive management and antiquarian document conservation, this online course provides pivotal paleographic skills necessary for handling historical heritage documents. It is also ideal for professional calligraphers and graduate students keen on Hispanic manuscript culture from the 9th to the 19th century.

What Students Will Learn

• Advanced principles of calligraphic practice coupled with paleographic transcription techniques.
• Methods of paleography for reading and analyzing medieval and modern Hispanic manuscripts.
• Rules, factors, materials, tools, and principles involved in the development of calligraphic strokes over different historical periods, with practical exercises.
• Morphological features and characteristics of each analyzed script across different historical document spaces.
• The contemporary relevance of calligraphy and paleography.

Course Pre-requisites

Knowledge of the Spanish language is necessary. It is also advisable, though not mandatory, to have a background in Spanish history and medieval Latin.

Course Outline

• Principles of calligraphic reproduction in relation to transcription techniques.
• Analysis of medieval and modern manuscripts with focused historical context.
• Hands-on exercises imitating authentic calligraphic and paleographic works.
• Detailed study of script characteristics within the document conservation framework.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for archival professionals, document conservators, digital humanities scholars, professional calligraphers, and both undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in historical manuscript studies.

Application of Acquired Skills in the Real World

Skills obtained from this course can significantly benefit professionals engaged in the conservation and interpretation of historical documents, enhancing their capabilities in archival management, digital humanities research, educational outreach, and cultural preservation.

Syllabus Overview

1. Week 1: The Medieval Scriptorium
2. Week 2: The Chancery: Office of Document Dispatch and Registration
3. Week 3: Notarial Office: 15th - 17th century
4. Week 4: The Empire of Writing in Judicial Administration
5. Week 5: Writing and Municipal Administration
6. Week 6: Writing at Home