History of Books and Literacy Technologies

Issues in history of books, writing, and literacy technologies. Investigation of invention of writing, diverse cultural concepts of literacy, earliest use of systematic notation systems in Mesopotamia, and current development of devices and practices that shape contemporary concepts of book of future. Discussion of historical development of technology (tablets, scrolls, codices, illumination and illustration techniques, paper and mass production, photography, digital tools), institutions (libraries, printing and publishing industries), cultural issues and politics (publishing, censorship, colonialism, globalization), formats and styles (type design, graphic design, aesthetics), and some important figures and events in book history. Focused on Western traditions, but not to exclusion of developments in Asia, Near East, Islamic empire, and elsewhere, and questions of cultural diffusion and diversity encouraged.

Letter grading.