Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis The subject will look at the diverse approaches taken to reading practices by historians of books. Its object is to promote understanding of the social and cultural context of literature. Considerable emphasis will be put on the analysis and evaluation of primary sources of various kinds. The topics to be treated include reading and writing before the invention of printing from movable type; the measurement of literacy; chapbooks and popular literature; intensive/extensive reading; circulating libraries in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; newspaper and magazine serials. Some reference will be made throughout to other languages and cultures, especially the English-speaking world. A collection of documents in French (primary and secondary) will be prepared for sale by the department. This will include extensive suggestions for reading on each topic.
Assessment (8 points) Seminar paper (2000 words): 30% + Research essay (5000 words): 70%
Assessment (12 points) Two seminar papers (2000 words each): 20% each + Research essay (5000 words): 60%