History of Printing and Publishing
A.Y. 2022/2023
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: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
Book circulation, booksellers, publishers and readers (15th-18th C.)
The course aims to analyze the ways in which printing spread in Europe, the elements of continuity with the world of manuscript book production and fruition in the first decades of the spread of Gutenberg's invention until the final establishment of the new medium of book production (unit A). In the second part, it considers the practices through which publishers adapt texts to the types of readers and censorship controls (e.g. in the different of "letter books," taking into account the problems of low literacy, language and educational processes, elements that condition the enjoyment of texts (unit B). It then analyzes the ways in which texts circulate and the different professions and places that enable their distribution and access (booksellers, peddlers, libraries, cabinets de lecture, etc.) (unit C).
Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuities and transformations in the history of the book between manuscript and printed book (15th and 16th centuries).
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Texts, censorship and reading.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The professions of book circulation (15th-18th centuries)
The course aims to analyze the ways in which printing spread in Europe, the elements of continuity with the world of manuscript book production and fruition in the first decades of the spread of Gutenberg's invention until the final establishment of the new medium of book production (unit A). In the second part, it considers the practices through which publishers adapt texts to the types of readers and censorship controls (e.g. in the different of "letter books," taking into account the problems of low literacy, language and educational processes, elements that condition the enjoyment of texts (unit B). It then analyzes the ways in which texts circulate and the different professions and places that enable their distribution and access (booksellers, peddlers, libraries, cabinets de lecture, etc.) (unit C).
Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuities and transformations in the history of the book between manuscript and printed book (15th and 16th centuries).
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Texts, censorship and reading.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The professions of book circulation (15th-18th centuries)
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.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held in the presence.
Students will be able to find all information about the beginning of lectures, as well as any changes in the syllabus and reference material (bibliography, etc.) on the Ariel site of the teaching.
The topics of the course will be tackled with the help of slides and teaching materials (reproduction of original documents, websites of printing press museums, video, power points).
Students will be able to find all information about the beginning of lectures, as well as any changes in the syllabus and reference material (bibliography, etc.) on the Ariel site of the teaching.
The topics of the course will be tackled with the help of slides and teaching materials (reproduction of original documents, websites of printing press museums, video, power points).
Teaching Resources
PROGRAMME FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
Part A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuities and transformations in the history of the book between manuscript and printed book (15th and 16th centuries).
One book among the followings:
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.
Part B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Texts, censorship and reading.
Two books among the followings:
L. Braida, Libri di lettere. Le raccolte epistolari del Cinquecento tra inquietudini religiose e 'buon volgare', Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009 (o edizioni successive).
R. Chartier, Le migrazioni dei testi. Scrivere e tradurre nel XVI e XVII secolo, Roma, Carocci, 2020.
M. Roggero, Le vie dei libri. Letture, lingua e pubblico nell'Italia moderna, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021.
Part C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The professions of book circulation (15th-18th centuries)
One book among the followings:
R. Darnton, Un tour de France letterario. Il mondo dei libri alla vigilia della Rivoluzione francese, Roma, Carocci, 2019.
J-Y. Mollier, Storia dei librai e della libreria dall'Antichità ai nostri giorni. Con un saggio di E. Marazzi, Roma, Edizioni e/o, 2022.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS: for 9 cfu teaching they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching parts A, B and C plus a book of their choice in the following list; those for 6 cfu they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching parts A and B plus a book in the following list:
R. Chartier, La mano dell'autore, la mente dello stampatore. Cultura e scrittura nell'Europa moderna, Roma, Carocci, 2015.
R. Darnton, Il futuro del libro, Milano, Adelphi, 2011.
G. Roncaglia, La quarta rivoluzione. Sei lezioni sul futuro del libro, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 (o edizioni successive)
A.Petrucci, La scrittura. Ideologia e rappresentazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1986 ( o ed. successive).
Part A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Unit A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Continuities and transformations in the history of the book between manuscript and printed book (15th and 16th centuries).
One book among the followings:
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.
Part B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Texts, censorship and reading.
Two books among the followings:
L. Braida, Libri di lettere. Le raccolte epistolari del Cinquecento tra inquietudini religiose e 'buon volgare', Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009 (o edizioni successive).
R. Chartier, Le migrazioni dei testi. Scrivere e tradurre nel XVI e XVII secolo, Roma, Carocci, 2020.
M. Roggero, Le vie dei libri. Letture, lingua e pubblico nell'Italia moderna, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021.
Part C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The professions of book circulation (15th-18th centuries)
One book among the followings:
R. Darnton, Un tour de France letterario. Il mondo dei libri alla vigilia della Rivoluzione francese, Roma, Carocci, 2019.
J-Y. Mollier, Storia dei librai e della libreria dall'Antichità ai nostri giorni. Con un saggio di E. Marazzi, Roma, Edizioni e/o, 2022.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS: for 9 cfu teaching they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching parts A, B and C plus a book of their choice in the following list; those for 6 cfu they have to bring the texts provided by the teaching parts A and B plus a book in the following list:
R. Chartier, La mano dell'autore, la mente dello stampatore. Cultura e scrittura nell'Europa moderna, Roma, Carocci, 2015.
R. Darnton, Il futuro del libro, Milano, Adelphi, 2011.
G. Roncaglia, La quarta rivoluzione. Sei lezioni sul futuro del libro, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 (o edizioni successive)
A.Petrucci, La scrittura. Ideologia e rappresentazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1986 ( o ed. successive).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an oral interview on the scheduled subjects.
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