Literacy in the Medieval West

Pre-requisites: passed exam in Latin

Course objectives: Introduction to the basic developments in Western (Latin) literacy during the Middle Ages, including the development of the Latin script, in the context of broader cultural developments, with comparisons to the development of contemporary Slavic and Greek literacy.

Course description: Lectures provide a chronological overview of the development of Western (Latin) literacy throughout the Middle Ages, from its ancient heritage through the literacy of "barbarian" cultures to the periodic and increasingly wide-ranging "renaissances", always in the context of wider cultural developments of the time. Lectures also present important individuals and institutions who acted as bearers of medieval literacy - professional scribes, scriptoria and chanceries. Practical classes use concrete examples both to study various scripts as representative products of certain stages in the development of European literacy and to learn the techniques of reading medieval Latin manuscripts.

Learning Outcomes: Acquiring knowledge of the basic development of Western (Latin) literacy, its place in broader cultural developments and its comparativity with Slavic and Greek Literacy. Mastering the basic techniques of reading medieval Latin scripts.

Literature/Reading:

• V. Novak, Latinska paleografija, Beograd 1956.
• B. Bishop, Latin Paleography, London 1996.
• V. Radosavljević, Tehnika starog pisma i minijature, Beograd 1984.
• D. Diringer, The Book Before Printing, New York 1953.