HISTORY OF THE BOOK AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Academic year
- 2025/2026 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- STORIA DEL LIBRO E BIBLIOGRAFIA SP.
- Course code
- FM0178 (AF:568926 AR:321675)
- Modality
- On campus classes
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Degree level
- Master's Degree Programme (DM270)
- Educational sector code
- M-STO/08
- Period
- 2nd Semester
- Where
- VENEZIA
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
Expected learning outcomes
1. address the development of the 'book' as artefact;
2. illustrate the historical evolution of bibliographic and cataloging tools, intended as a tool for ordering knowledge, from Renaissance printed catalogs to current online databases;
3. address the study of the history of the book, intended as a communication tool, a cultural object and a repository of knowledge;
The course has a seminar character. It includes the examination of ancient books (from incunabula to nineteenth-century books) during the lessons, group-based laboratory activity and visits to libraries holding collections of early-printed books.
Pre-requirements
Contents
Another lesson will take place in the library of the Ateneo Veneto where we will examine early-modern scientific books with monastic provenance.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to the development of the order of knowledge starting in the Renaissance through catalogues and bibliographies (general, thematic, linguistic, local) and to the birth of databases and relational databases as a different approach to knowledge
The last part will concentrate on the role of the book in propagating knowledge, information, science and innovation.
Some lessons will be held as laboratory with students working in groups.
Referral texts
ANDREA DI PASQUALE, Che cos'è la bibliologia, Roma, Carocci, 2018
LUCIEN FEBVRE, HENRI-JEAN MARTIN, La nascita del libro, Roma-Bari Laterza 2011 [ed. or. 1958]
FRÉDÉRIC BARBIER, Storia del libro in Occidente, Bari, Dedalo, 2018.
HANS TUZZI, Libro antico, libro moderno, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
EDOARDO BARBIERI, Guida al libro antico. Conoscere e descrivere il libro tipografico, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2006
ROBERT DARNTON, What Is the History of Books? “Daedalus”, Vol. 111/3 (Summer, 1982), pp. 65-83
ROBERT DARNTON, "What is the history of books?" revisited. “Modern Intellectual History” 4(2007), pp. 495-508
Printing and Misprinting: A Companion to Mistakes and In-House Corrections in Renaissance Europe (1450-1650), ed. Geri Della Rocca de Candal, Anthony Grafton, and Paolo Sachet, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2023
THESE TEXTS ARE ONLY A SUGGESTION FOR BASIC READING AND NOT SUBJECT TO ANY EXAM
Assessment methods
It is reaffirmed that the paper or the project work are in fact the final exam. Therefore, students are required NOT to present themselves on the exam date published on the web. This date is valid for the delivery of the project work via mail.
Type of exam
Grading scale
Clear presentation of the topic – 25%
Correct syntax – 10%
Analytical skills – 40%
Use of scientific sources – 25%
PROJECT WORK
Since the proposed topics vary, the student will be informed of the grade distribution specific to their chosen topic during the first meeting with the tutor.
Teaching methods
Part of the materials used in the course will be provided through the moodle platform
Teaching language
Further information
It is reaffirmed that thepaper or project work are in fact the final exam. Therefore, students are required NOT to present themselves on the exam date published on the web. This date is valid for the delivery of the paper or project work via mail.
Reception hours: only upon appointment either in presence or online writing to: raines@unive.it
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development