
Workshop on Medieval Manuscripts hosted by the Departments of French and Italian and Classics: Literary Materiality in the Middle Ages: How did it really work?
Joint Summer School - University of Zurich and The Ohio State University
May 15-18, 2023
For details, please visit the Department of French and Italian.
The Department of Classics with the collaboration of the University of Zurich will host a workshop on the materiality of medieval manuscripts from May 15-18, 2023. The workshop focuses on how texts were actually written and transmitted in Latin and vernacular manuscripts and features talks by Frank T. Coulson on script, Anna A. Grotans on vernacular manuscripts, Sarah-Grace Heller on Fashion and Clothing in manuscripts, and talks from faculty of Romance Languages and Classics from the University of Zurich. Please contact Professor Coulson (coulson.1@osu.edu) for further details.
Topic
One recurring question that arises when one is confronted with premodern textual culture is "'How did this really work?", i.e. what were the material conditions in which these texts were produced, received, and transmitted? How did the audience have access to the texts: through listening, reading, or even watching a performance? The present Summer School addresses some of the major issues regarding reading and writing in a manuscript culture, both in Latin and in the vernacular. Furthermore, it deals with medieval material culture as reflected in texts. Clothing and armor are a good examples of the problems with which scholars are confronted, since the vocabulary and the reality to which it refers have changed considerably over the centuries. Within the scope of the Summer School, introductory lectures will alternate with practical exercises. The evenings are reserved for the discussion of problems that the participants have encountered in their work. The event also offers the possibility for young scholars to meet with academics from both European and North American traditions.
For details, please visit the Department of French and Italian.