Skills: Palaeography or Epigraphy

Course goals

Acquiring basic skills in Greco-Roman epigraphy or Medieval paleography: reading practice, translations, close reading, proper use of reference works; technicalities of the trade; historical interpretation.
After the course, you:

• are able to read and classify, at a basic level, the different epigraphical or paleographical scripts, solve common abbreviations, and understand changes in written culture.
• have acquired a basic knowledge of how epigraphical texts or medieval manuscripts (both books and charters) were made and how these should be analysed
• have a basic understanding of the possibilities digital tools has to offer.

 

Content

A large part of the primary source material for ancient, medieval and renaissance historians consists of texts inscribed on stone, bronze, wood, pottery shards and various other objects or written by hand on papyrus, parchment or paper. The former are called inscriptions its study epigraphy. The latter are called manuscripts and its study palaeography. Students will choose between epigraphy and palaeography, and in case of epigraphy between Greek and Latin. Combined, epigraphy and palaeography provide access to political, literary and archival documents. The study of these texts not only requires language skills but also familiarity with many technical aspects.

If you choose epigraphy you are invited (but not obliged) to take part in the 5 EC Greek and Latin epigraphy courses offered by Master Language and OIKOS (Dutch Graduate School of Classical Studies) at the Dutch Institutes at Athens and Rome respectively. For more information, see: ReMA and PhD curriculum | Education | University of Groningen.

A series of reading exercises, enabling you to acquire the ability to read various scripts used. Basic proficiency is provided in the systems of abbreviation, punctuation, and chronology. Attention will also be given the possibilities offered by Digital Humanities in this field.

The entrance requirements for Exchange Students will be checked by the International Office and the Programme coordinator. Acceptance is not self-evident.
 

Additional information

This course is a compulsory part of the Research MA Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies and is an elective for students in the following Research master programmes: Comparative Literary Studies; Art History; Nederlandse Literatuur en Cultuur; Musicology; Gender Studies; Media, Art And Performance Studies; Religious Studies; Philosophy; Modern and Contemporary History; Linguistics.