Universidad de Jaén

1. The history of writing
   1. The origin of writing and of the alphabet
   2. The English alphabets
      1. The Anglo-Saxon futhorc
      2. The introduction of the Latin alphabet
2. The writing materials
   1. Substrates and book formats
      1. Introduction
      2. Clay and wax tablets
      3. Papyrus and parchment srolls
      4. Papyrus and parchment codices
      5. Paper and codices / printed books
   2. Implements
      1. Writing tools
      2. Inks and other implements
3. The writing process
   1. Writing and copying
   2. Errors found in manuscripts
   3. Correcting textual errors
   4. Glossing
   5. Annotations and bookmarks
   6. Other marks found in manuscripts
      1. Line fillers
      2. Pen trials
      3. Sketches rough drafts, doodles and pawn markings
   7. Rubricating
   8. Illuminating
4. The scripts
   1. Terminology actions of the pen, letters and scripts
   2. The evolution of scripts
      1. Introduction
      2. Roman scripts
      3. Caroline script
      4. Insular
      5. The influence of Caroline on insular scripts
      6. Gothic scripts
5. Abbreviations and punctuation found in manuscripts
   1. Introduction
   2. Abbreviations 
      1. Contractions
      2. Curtailments (suspensions)
      3. Brevigraphs
      4. Superior letters
      5. Elision
   3. Punctuation
6. Production and consumption of manuscripts
   1. The Anglo-Saxon period
   2. The Middle English period
7. Transcription and edition of manuscripts
   1. Description 
   2. Transcription
   3. Textual commentaries
8. Transcription practice

Studying the manual on the virtual teaching platform.

Query and doubt resolution by email / course's online forum.

Manuscript description and transcriptions exercises.

Written asignment containing a description and transcription of an extract of a late Middle English manuscript.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

• The theoretical contents of the online manual will be assessed through an online multiple choice / short answer test.
• Practical competences will be assessed through practical cases or exercises of
  • description of manuscript texts;
  • transcription of manuscript texts in late Middle English.

These exercises must be sent to the teacher by email.

• The number and quality of the contributions to the course's forum will also be assessed.