History of Printing and Publishing
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the theme of the birth and dissemination of the press in Europe, the elements of continuity within the world of book production, and enjoyment of the manuscript book from the first decades of diffusion of works following Gutenberg's invention of the printing press until the definitive confirmation of the press as a new means of producing books. Along a chronological arc from the mid-15th century to the end of the 18th century, the course aims to analyze the production and circulation of literary texts and forms of censorship control, from the Indexes of banned books to the effects of repressive action on readers. The aim is to bring students' attention to the usefulness of comparing different disciplines: the history of the press is in fact located at the intersection of disciplines such as bibliographic studies, history, literature, sociology, and anthropology, all present in the educational path of the Course of Studies.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to lead participants in the acquisition of knowledge of the subject through its different methodological orientations, within the dialogue between cultural history, philology and bibliography; It also intends to stimulate attention to a type of analysis that does not separate the history of the texts from that of their materiality and that always takes into account the historicality of the works and their method of circulation. Students will thus be able to acquire, through the identification of different types of sources, the skills necessary to analyze the historical contexts in which cultural projects, as well as typographical and editorial activities, develop.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The Printing Press and the Transformation of Written Culture and its Use in Europe (15th-18th C.)
The course aims to analyse how printing has been disseminated throughout Europe, the elements of continuity with production and use of manuscripts in the first decades after Gutenberg's invention until the definitive affirmation of the new means of production of books (module A). It then analyzes the production and circulation of literary texts and forms of censorship , from the Indices of prohibited books to the effects of repressive actions on readers (module B). Finally (module C) it presents the historical debate analyzing the different orientation of studies and the dialogue between different disciplines (bibliography, history, literature, sociology, anthropology) which has characterized the history book studies, starting from L'apparition du livre by L. Febvre and H. J. Martin (1958), until the most recent developments in the history of reading.
Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuity and transformations in the culture written between 15th and 16th C.
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Literary texts, reading and censorship between 16th and 18th C.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The book between past and future: historiographical trends
The course aims to analyse how printing has been disseminated throughout Europe, the elements of continuity with production and use of manuscripts in the first decades after Gutenberg's invention until the definitive affirmation of the new means of production of books (module A). It then analyzes the production and circulation of literary texts and forms of censorship , from the Indices of prohibited books to the effects of repressive actions on readers (module B). Finally (module C) it presents the historical debate analyzing the different orientation of studies and the dialogue between different disciplines (bibliography, history, literature, sociology, anthropology) which has characterized the history book studies, starting from L'apparition du livre by L. Febvre and H. J. Martin (1958), until the most recent developments in the history of reading.
Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuity and transformations in the culture written between 15th and 16th C.
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Literary texts, reading and censorship between 16th and 18th C.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The book between past and future: historiographical trends
Prerequisites for admission
It is advisable to take this exam after having already passed at least one (general) history exam. Knowledge of a early-modern history high school textbook, at least in its general topics (eg Reformation and Counter-Reformation).
Teaching methods
The topics of the course will be tackled through lectures and with the help of slides and teaching materials (reproduction of original documents, websites of printing press museums).
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Students attending at least two thirds of the lessons are considered to be attending students.
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Students attending at least two thirds of the lessons are considered to be attending students.
Teaching Resources
PROGRAMME FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
Attending students will have to know the topics covered during the lessons and prepare the books below.
For 6 CFUs: students have to bring the books provided for the units A and B.
For 9 CFUs students have to bring the books provided for the units A, B and C.
Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuity and transformations in written culture between 15th and 16thC.
A book to choose between these:
L. Braida, Stampa e cultura in Europa tra XV e XVI secolo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2014 (o altre edizioni precedenti).
F. Barbier, Storia del libro. Dall'antichità al XX secolo, Bari, Dedalo, 2004, da p. 117 a p. 369.
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Literary texts, reading and censorship between 16th and 18th C.
Two books to choose among these:
L. Braida, Libri di lettere. Le raccolte epistolari del Cinquecento tra inquietudini religiose e 'buon volgare', Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009 (o edizioni successive).
G. Fragnito, Rinascimento proibito. La letteratura italiana al vaglio dei censori (XV-XVII secc.), Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019.
L. Bolzoni, Una meravigliosa solitudine. L'arte di leggere nell'Europa moderna, Torino, Einaudi, 2019.
M. Roggero, Le carte piene di sogni. Testi e lettori in età moderna, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The book between past and future: historiographical trends
A book to choose between these:
R. Darnton, Il futuro del libro, Milano, Adelphi, 2011.
R.Chartier, L'ordine dei libri, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 1994.
G. Roncaglia, La quarta rivoluzione. Sei lezioni sul futuro del libro, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 (o edizioni successive).
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS: For 9 cfu teaching they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching units A, B and C plus a book of their choice in the following list; for 6 cfu they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching units A and B plus a book in the following list:
T. Plebani, Le scritture delle donne in Europa. Pratiche quotidiane e ambizioni letterarie (secc. XIII - XX), Roma, Carocci, febbraio 2019.
X. von Tippelskirch, Sotto controllo. Letture femminili in Italia nella prima età moderna, Roma, Viella, 2011.
R. Chartier, La mano dell'autore, la mente dello stampatore. Cultura e scrittura nell'Europa moderna, Roma, Carocci, 2015.
A.Petrucci, La scrittura. Ideologia e rappresentazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1986 ( o ed. successive).
A.Petrucci, Letteratura italiana: una storia attraverso la scrittura , Roma , Carocci, 2017 (soltanto i capp. 1,2,3).
Attending students will have to know the topics covered during the lessons and prepare the books below.
For 6 CFUs: students have to bring the books provided for the units A and B.
For 9 CFUs students have to bring the books provided for the units A, B and C.
Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuity and transformations in written culture between 15th and 16thC.
A book to choose between these:
L. Braida, Stampa e cultura in Europa tra XV e XVI secolo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2014 (o altre edizioni precedenti).
F. Barbier, Storia del libro. Dall'antichità al XX secolo, Bari, Dedalo, 2004, da p. 117 a p. 369.
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Literary texts, reading and censorship between 16th and 18th C.
Two books to choose among these:
L. Braida, Libri di lettere. Le raccolte epistolari del Cinquecento tra inquietudini religiose e 'buon volgare', Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009 (o edizioni successive).
G. Fragnito, Rinascimento proibito. La letteratura italiana al vaglio dei censori (XV-XVII secc.), Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019.
L. Bolzoni, Una meravigliosa solitudine. L'arte di leggere nell'Europa moderna, Torino, Einaudi, 2019.
M. Roggero, Le carte piene di sogni. Testi e lettori in età moderna, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The book between past and future: historiographical trends
A book to choose between these:
R. Darnton, Il futuro del libro, Milano, Adelphi, 2011.
R.Chartier, L'ordine dei libri, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 1994.
G. Roncaglia, La quarta rivoluzione. Sei lezioni sul futuro del libro, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 (o edizioni successive).
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS: For 9 cfu teaching they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching units A, B and C plus a book of their choice in the following list; for 6 cfu they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching units A and B plus a book in the following list:
T. Plebani, Le scritture delle donne in Europa. Pratiche quotidiane e ambizioni letterarie (secc. XIII - XX), Roma, Carocci, febbraio 2019.
X. von Tippelskirch, Sotto controllo. Letture femminili in Italia nella prima età moderna, Roma, Viella, 2011.
R. Chartier, La mano dell'autore, la mente dello stampatore. Cultura e scrittura nell'Europa moderna, Roma, Carocci, 2015.
A.Petrucci, La scrittura. Ideologia e rappresentazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1986 ( o ed. successive).
A.Petrucci, Letteratura italiana: una storia attraverso la scrittura , Roma , Carocci, 2017 (soltanto i capp. 1,2,3).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an oral interview on the scheduled subjects. To pass the examination, a sure knowledge of the topics covered during the course is required as well as of the texts indicated. The vote is expressed in 30th.
Erasmus students will have the possibility, if they request so, to take the exam in English, according to a syllabus agreed with the teacher.
The examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or DSA will have to be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the DSA office.
Erasmus students will have the possibility, if they request so, to take the exam in English, according to a syllabus agreed with the teacher.
The examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or DSA will have to be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the DSA office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours