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13248 (v.3) Information Studies 396 - History of the Book


 

Area:

Department of Media and Information

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

2.0

Laboratory:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Examination of the history of books, print culture and electronic texts from the ancient world today. Covers both the technical aspects of book production and the relationship between books and culture. The effects on the final text of methods of production and physical form are emphasised along with book design, typography and illustration.
 

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will have- Knowledge of the physical characteristics of books from both the manuscript and print eras. The ability to discern the physical makeup of a book and how this reflects its purpose, readership and method of production. An understanding of how the various editions of texts can help in interpreting an author's intentions. An understanding of how the book trade has changed and is changing under the influence of new technology. Some knowledge of how tocollect and look after old or rare books.

Texts and references listed below are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Some units taught offshore are modified at selected locations. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information and approved offshore variations to unit information before finalising study and textbook purchases.

Unit References:

Bennett, H.S. (1965), English books and readers, 1558-1603. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Griffiths, Jeremy. and Pearsall, Derek. (eds.) (1989), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Eisenstein, Elizabeth. (1979), The printing press as an agent of change, Volume one and two. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Gaskell, Philip. (1972), A new introduction to bibliography. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Jennett, Sean. The making of books. London, Faber. McKerrow, Ronald B. (1927), An introduction to bibliography for literary students. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Pacht, Otto. (1986), Book illumination in the middle ages: an introduction. London, H.Miller Publishers. Smith, Anthony. (1980), Goodbye Gutenberg: the newspaper revolution of the 1980's. New York, Oxford University Press. Stokes, Roy. (1982), The function of bibliography (second edition). London, Gower. Steinberg, S.H. (1974), Five hundred years of printing (third edition). London, Penguin.

Unit Texts:

No prescribed texts.
 

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Essay 1 40%, Essay 2 30%, Report on bibliographic control and cataloguing exercise 30%. This is by grade/mark assessment .

Field of Education:

 91301 Librarianship and Information Management

HECS Band (if applicable):

1  

Extent to which this unit or thesis utilises online information:

 Fully Online  

Result Type:

 Grade/Mark


Availability

YearLocationPeriodInternalArea ExternalCentral External
2004Bentley CampusSemester 1  Y
2004Bentley CampusSemester 2Y Y

Area
External
refers to external course/units run by the School or Department, offered online or through Web CT, or offered by research.
Central
External
refers to external course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area

 
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