This course is designed for students interested in plurilingualism, book culture and their history. It will explore how
the invention and expansion of printing transformed communication in pre-modern Europe. Particular attention will
be paid to the changing hierarchies of languages. The course could also be dubbed as “from Latin to French (and
English)”. It will pay attention to language learning, code-switching, the role of translation as a form of cultural
mediation, as well as the gender aspects of print culture. The material aspects of books invite an ecologically
sensitive perspective: For example, we can explore how paper was produced from old rags, how Jewish
manuscripts were used for bookbinding, and what environmental consequences the use of animal skins for
bookbinding had for cattle breeding. We will ask what books were considered dangerous and how they were
censored. Students will learn how to work with old printed books in their diploma theses and research projects.
The course will also familiarise students with the research network on Print Culture and Public Spheres:
https://pcps-ce.eu/
Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to explore and familiarise themselves with the use of databases and repositories of old printed books.
Poslední úprava: Čapská Veronika, doc., Ph.D. (03.09.2026)
This course is designed for students interested in plurilingualism, book culture and their history. It will explore how the invention and expansion of printing transformed communication in pre-modern Europe. Particular attention will be paid to the changing hierarchies of languages. The course could also be dubbed as “from Latin to French (and English)”. It will pay attention to language learning, code-switching, the role of translation as a form of cultural mediation, as well as the gender aspects of print culture. The material aspects of books invite an ecologically sensitive perspective: For example, we can explore how paper was produced from old rags, how Jewish manuscripts were used for bookbinding, and what environmental consequences the use of animal skins for bookbinding had for cattle breeding. We will ask what books were considered dangerous and how they were censored. Students will learn how to work with old printed books in their diploma theses and research projects.
The course will also familiarise students with the research network on Print Culture and Public Spheres: https://pcps-ce.eu/
Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to explore and familiarise themselves with the use of databases and repositories of old printed books.
Poslední úprava: Čapská Veronika, doc., Ph.D. (03.09.2026)
