Modern humanities

The course aims at providing a concise but complete outline of the history and functions of written memory in Western society. Through the lectures the student: will learn about techniques and fields of production of book and documentary scripts, from the manuscript to the press; will understand the dynamics that govern the circulation, fruition, conservation (and destruction) of the book and of the document in different historical-social contexts; will know the nature and development of institutions responsible for the preservation of written memory. Thanks to the close connection of the topics covered with historical, linguistic and philological disciplines envisaged by the course of study in the first and second year, at the end of the course the student will be able to orient himself independently among the scientific literature, but above all he will be able to develop his own critical reflection on the great themes of the history of written culture.