This introductory seminar on how to read a book aims to give undergraduates across humanities disciplines a grounding in the history of the book in Europe while also helping them think about the origins of their own reading, writing and notetaking practices—that is, the bundle of habits and strategies that are usually taught, if at all, under the instrumental rubric of “study skills.” “Platforming down,” we chose cheap and readily-available tools, including books and scrap paper already in each student’s possession, not just in order to adjust to the pandemic-era virtual environment but also to experiment with models of hands-on observation and making that work even at universities that lack well-resourced makerspaces or special collections libraries.
Leah Price, Rutgers University
The syllabus can be viewed below or downloaded here.
Price_Cuneiform-to-Twitter_syllabus