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Module Catalogue

HI31S-30 Print, Knowledge & Power in Early Modern Italy

Department
History
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Rosa Salzberg
Credit value
30
Module duration
22 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

The module aims to teach students about the development of print technology in Renaissance and Early Modern Italy and how print intertwined with manuscript, visual and oral media to create the dynamic communications culture of the period. It prompts students to consider if and how this new communications technology precipitated cultural, social, religious and political change in this era, and how authorities such as governments and the church sought to control or promote this change. Subject areas within the module include the development of the book trade, the impact of print on humanistic culture, science and medicine, the production of popular literature, maps and news, the role of print in spreading religious ideas in this period and the development of censorship mechanisms. Comparative elements in the course (particularly looking at France, Germany and England) encourage students to think about the wider European history of communication and its part in the history of early modernity.

Module web page

Module aims

The module contributes to the single honours BA by allowing students to deepen their knowledge about Early Modern Italy and the history of communication, building on themes highlighted in the modules Medieval World, Europe in the Making and Venice in the Renaissance as well as other option modules. Familiarising students with examples of printed and archival material from the period, it is likely to act as a stepping stone to subsequent work at postgraduate level.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

  • A Communications Revolution?
  • Production and Distribution
  • Printing, Humanism and Renaissance Culture
  • Publish or Perish?
  • Science and Secrets
  • Seeing the World in Print
  • News, Information and Politics
  • Religion and Reformation
  • Order and Control

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of print culture in early modern Italy.
  • Critically analyse and evaluate a broad range of primary sources relating to print culture in early modern Italy.
  • Effectively communicate ideas, and make informed, coherent and persuasive arguments, about print culture in early modern Italy.
  • Critically review and consolidate theoretical, methodological, and historiographical ideas relating to the relationship between intellectual, social and cultural history.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

See learning outcomes.

Transferable skills

See learning outcomes.

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 18 sessions of 2 hours (12%)
Tutorials 4 sessions of 1 hour (1%)
Private study 260 hours (87%)
Total 300 hours

Private study description

History modules require students to undertake extensive independent research and reading to prepare for seminars and assessments. As a rough guide, students will be expected to read and prepare to comment on three substantial texts (articles or book chapters) for each seminar taking approximately 3 hours. Each assessment requires independent research, reading around 6-10 texts and writing and presenting the outcomes of this preparation in an essay, review, presentation or other related task.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Seminar contribution 10% No
Reassessment component
1000 word reflection Yes (extension)
Assessment component
1500 word essay 10% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
3000 word source based essay 40% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
3000 word essay 40% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Written feedback provided via Tabula; optional oral feedback in office hours.

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 3 of UHIA-V102 Undergraduate History (Renaissance and Modern History Stream)

This module is Core option list A for:

  • Year 4 of UHIA-V103 Undergraduate History (Renaissance and Modern History Stream) (with Year Abroad)