History of the Book

MA in History of the Book

Mode: part-time

Aims of the programme
The interdisciplinary MA in the History of the Book brings together the academic expertise of staff of the Institute, colleges within the University of London, Reading University and the Open University, with that of staff from the British Library, the National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum and St Bride Printing Library. The programme aims to provide a stimulating range of courses in a new but rapidly growing subject attracting students from a wide range of backgrounds. Students follow a compulsory Core Course, providing a broad introduction to the discipline, and four one-term specialist options. The programme further aims to equip students to undertake independent research giving them the experience of such research through the writing of a short dissertation. While it is a qualification in its own right, fostering students’ intellectual development and independent learning ability for continuing professional and personal development, the MA also serves as an introduction to further research at doctoral level.

Programme outcomes, and how they are achieved
Outcomes can be broadly defined as either knowledge-based or skill-based and are usually realised in combination. Thus the categories of outcomes below are not mutually exclusive; knowledge and understanding, skills of various kinds and other attributes are complementary attainments gained in reciprocal relationship with one another. The programme draws substantially on the active research of teachers in the specialist areas of study.

Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire:

• A detailed understanding of the main historical approaches and methods underpinning the subject
• An awareness of current scholarship and the ability to evaluate it
• A good working knowledge of the techniques and materials used over time in the production of books
• The ability to locate a book’s production in the appropriate historical, cultural or political context.
• The ability independently to consider, evaluate and synthesise evidence drawn from primary sources and argument drawn from secondary sources to reach and support sound conclusions.
• The ability to communicate and present the results of their researches in a rigorous scholarly way

Skills and other attributes
Students will acquire the ability to

• understand and comment on primary source material
• read scholarly publications critically
• conduct independent research at an advanced level
• communicate complex ideas in writing, oral presentations and group discussion • produce written work in an appropriate style, with good organisation of ideas, clarity of expression, argument and presentation making use of the proper scholarly conventions
• make effect use of electronic resources
• familiarise themselves with the principal sources of information in a variety of subjects

In addition, they will receive training in palaeography, codicology and historical bibliography, where necessary

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Learning strategies include small weekly classes, seminars and workshops, private reading and independent research, as well as a short series of Saturday schools, given by senior teachers in the University and by staff of the British Library and covering such topics of research methodology as are required by the British Academy. Classes usually take place in the University Library, the British Library, the National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and other libraries with special collections where students can get ‘hands-on’ experience of rare books and manuscripts. In the Summer Term a series of visits to libraries with MSS and Rare Books Collections is organised and accompanied by the Course Tutor.

All students are required to produce a portfolio of five essays (one for the Core Course and one for each of four options) of 5,000 words length, to be submitted at appointed dates. They must also submit a dissertation of between 10-15,000 words by the end of September. Students are encouraged to discuss their work with any of the teachers and, because of the small number involved, students have unusually frequent contact, formal and informal, with staff.

Programme structure
The course begins in late September with an Induction Week, in which students are introduced to the main topics and themes to be covered over the year and visit St Bride Printing Library to acquire some experience of composing and type-setting. All students take the core course which runs over two terms and, depending whether they are full-time or part-time, two or one options per term. The core course begins with a series of introductory surveys, followed by seven different case studies (ranging from papyrus rolls through Shakespeare’s Quartos and First Folio to the electronic book), and two workshops (on book history archives and literacy respectively). There are currently eight options which run in fixed rotation: Western Book Structures, The Look of the Book, The Historical Reader, The Serial and the Book, The Medieval Book, The Italian Book to 1600, Authors, Publishers and Textual Theory, and the Electronic Book. The third term and summer are spent in researching and writing a dissertation, under the guidance of an appropriate supervisor.

Assessment regulations and marking scheme
Assessment is based on coursework and the dissertation. For assessment purposes the programme is divided into four elements, each of which is worth 25% of the total: the Core Course (25%); the first two options (i.e. full-time first term Options, part-time first year options: 12.5% + 12.5% = 25%); the second two options course (ie. full-time second term options, part-time second year options: 12.5% + 12.5% = 25%); and the dissertation (25%). Candidates are normally required to pass all elements. For a pass, a candidate must normally have an aggregate of at least 200. Candidates who fail the dissertation will fail the programme. Failure in one other element of the programme is permitted, providing that the candidate achieves an aggregate of 220 with no mark of less than 40, and a mark of at least 50 on the dissertation and two other elements. MAs are graded overall as Distinction (70% or over), Merit (65-70%), and Pass (50-64%).

Support for learning
Library resources
Students have access to a wide range of libraries with great metropolitan and national collections. During the Induction Week a full-day is spent in the British Library to which students are given a formal introduction by BL staff. They have access to the University of London Library, situated in Senate House, the libraries of other Institutes within the School, and the National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and are actively encouraged to use the unrivalled selection of specialist libraries within London.

Computers
Students who do not have personal computers have access to them in the SAS computer room in the Institute of Historical Research, with internet and e-mail connections. A free e-mail address on the SAS server is given to all students who like one.

Admission criteria
The normal minimum entrance requirement is a good second-class honours degree from a British university, or an equivalent qualification from a foreign institution, in any discipline. Applications may also be considered from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements, but who offer alternative qualifications or who have considerable work-related experience.

UK candidates are asked to attend for interview at the Institute. Overseas applicants are asked to submit a piece of written work in English on a relevant topic and, in addition, are interviewed by telephone by the Course Director and Course Tutor.

Competence in English
Students whose first language is not English must be able to demonstrate competence in English, both written and spoken. The Institute requires one of the following:

• either an overall score of 7+, with 7 in reading and writing, in IELTS
• or a TOEFL score of 637 + in the paper-based test or a score of 270 in the computer-based test
• or a Grade A in the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English

Other qualifications or proof of competence may be accepted. Any student from an overseas background who has studied for at least three years at a university in a ‘native’ English-speaking country may be exempted from submitting formal test evidence.