Books and their Makers

About

How are books made? Who decides what gets read, where and when? And what difference does it make to think about the histories, social lives and business of books as well as about their contents?

In this short course, you will discover the extraordinary world of publishing and book-making, drawing on examples from medieval scribes to contemporary digital publishing. You will have the chance to get hands-on with bookmaking in the University’s unique Thin Ice Press, and to learn from contemporary editors, publishers and writers as well as leading academic experts.

This course is offered by the Department of English and Related Literature, 5th in the UK for English, according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

You need to have at least an upper-intermediate level of English (ca. IELTS 5).

Course aim

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of the techniques and histories of book production, circulation and reading, and of how the business of books shapes the texts we read, and our ways of reading.

In particular, it helps you:

develop your knowledge and understanding of how books have been made in the past, and how they are made now
understand how the physical form of books and the business of publishing shapes the literary landscape and the way we read
develop your skills in literary analysis, and in written and oral communication, with expert guidance.

Fee info