Perhaps no other relic of the European Middle Ages captures our imagination more than illuminated medieval manuscripts, or those documents decorated with images and colored pigments. Serving as windows unto a lost world of kings, ladies, faith, war, and culture, they communicate complex visual and textual narratives of Europe’s collective cultural heritage and patrimony. In this fashion, illuminated manuscripts are dynamic messages from our communal past that are still relevant today in fields like graphic design and typography.
Deciphering Secrets: The Illuminated Manuscripts of Medieval Europe
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Deciphering Secrets: The Illuminated Manuscripts of Medieval Europe
University of Colorado System
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
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started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Learner Career Outcomes
33%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
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Beginner Level
Approx. 56 hours to complete
Suggested: 7 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
7 hours to complete
COURSE INTRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL WORLD AND MANUSCRIPT STUDIES
Week #1
7 hours to complete
15 videos (Total 114 min), 12 readings, 4 quizzes
15 videos
Meet Dr. Ana Belen Sanchez Prieto39s
Meet Dr. Roger L. Martínez-Dávila29s
Optional video: How everything started10m
Week 1: Overview of Medieval Europe and the Mediterranean3m
1.0b. Introduction to Manuscript Studies3m
1.1. What is a Manuscript?10m
1.2. What is an Illuminated Manuscript?9m
1.3. Where do we Find Medieval Manuscripts?10m
1.4. How do we Find Medieval Manuscripts?8m
Project. 1. Introduction15m
Facsimile editions of medieval manuscripts13m
Handbooks and Lexicons10m
Working with Medieval Manuscripts10m
Wrap-Up to Unit 12m
12 readings
Course Description10m
Who Should Enroll?10m
Learning Outcomes and Goals10m
Teaching Methods and Approach10m
Assessment: Assignments and Grading10m
Nota para hispanohablantes (Notice for Spanish speakers)10m
Medieval Europe and Its Siblings20m
The Formation of Medieval Europe15m
The Islamic World and Formation of Its First Caliphates10m
Byzantium – Eastern Roman Empire10m
1.0a. Introduction to Unit 1. Activities and Workflow10m
Searching for a definition of "manuscript"10m
3 practice exercises
Considering maps: What do they reveal?2m
History: Medieval Europe and the Mediterranean16m
Manuscript studies. Basic concepts20m
4 hours to complete
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 1) AND WRITING SUPPORTS AND BOOK FORMATS
WEEK #2
4 hours to complete
12 videos (Total 98 min), 10 readings, 3 quizzes
12 videos
2.0b.Writing Materials and Book Formats. Introduction3m
2.1. Archaic Writing Materials9m
2.2. Papyrus7m
2.3. Parchment12m
2.4. Paper10m
2.5. Tablets9m
2.6. Roll and Scroll11m
2.7. Codex14m
2.8. Archaic and Exotic Book Formats5m
Project : Materials and Book Formats7m
Wrap-up to Unit 22m
10 readings
Creation of Medieval European Kingdoms5m
Early Germanic Peoples5m
The Vandals: A Brief Reference10m
The Ostrogoths10m
The Visigoths10m
France and the Franks20m
England and the Anglo-Saxons and Normans20m
2.0a. Introduction to Unit 2. Activities and Workflow10m
Ancient Scrolls Blackened by Vesuvius are Readable at Last10m
The Birth of the Codex10m
3 practice exercises
Thinking More About Historical Sources: France's Einhard and England's Bede2m
Medieval Kingdoms - Part 116m
Writing Materials and Book Formats20m
4 hours to complete
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 1) AND WRITING SUPPORTS AND BOOK FORMATS: Lesson Choices
4 hours to complete
4 hours to complete
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 2) AND THE WRITING CASE AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CODEX
WEEK #3
4 hours to complete
12 videos (Total 106 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes
12 videos
3.0b. Introduction to Unit 34m
3.1. The Writing Instruments9m
3.2. Black Inks10m
3.3. Colors (Part 1)9m
3.4. Colors (Part 2)11m
Bonus: Making a Lake Pigment11m
3.5. The Quires9m
3.6. Folding7m
3.7. Working with the Quires12m
Projects: The Writing Case and the Architecture of the Codex6m
Wrap-Up to Unit 31m
7 readings
Iberia: Christian and Islamic Kingdoms10m
Cities: The Rise of Urban Centers10m
Medieval Warfare10m
Scholasticism: The Revival of Learning10m
3.0a. Introduction to Unit 3. Activities and Workflow10m
Some readings about medieval colours10m
Some very interesting videos about paint and ink making10m
2 practice exercises
Medieval Kingdoms - Part 212m
Manuscript Studies20m
4 hours to complete
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 2) AND THE WRITING CASE AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CODEX: Lesson Choices
4 hours to complete
3 hours to complete
A GLIMPSE OF SPAIN'S KING ALFONSO X "THE WISE" AND PREPARING THE PAGE FOR WRITING
WEEK #4
3 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 76 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes
8 videos
4.0b. The Preparation of the Page. Introduction3m
4.1. The "mise-en-page"19m
4.2. Proportional Rectangles and Harmonic Surfaces14m
4.3. Pricking11m
4.4.Ruling11m
Project4m
Wrap-up to Unit 42m
7 readings
King Alfonso X "The Wise" of Castile10m
Las Cantigas de Santa Maria - The Canticles of Holy Mary10m
Lecture: Las Siete Partidas: A Legal Code for Three Religions10m
King Alfonso X and the Development of Spanish Universities10m
4.0a. Introduction to Unit 4. Activities and Workflow10m
Richard H. Rouse & Laura Light, Manuscript Production10m
Some interesting readings about the mise-en-page10m
2 practice exercises
History Quiz: King Alfonso X "The Wise"8m
Quiz Manuscript Studies20m
4 hours to complete
A GLIMPSE OF SPAIN'S KING ALFONSO X "THE WISE" AND PREPARING THE PAGE FOR WRITING: Lesson Choices
4 hours to complete
Reviews
4.7
TOP REVIEWS FROM DECIPHERING SECRETS: THE ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE
by KJan 26, 2018
An excellent overview of a complex subject , with the rare option to explore the practical skills involved in making manuscripts , and with a forward view of new research evolving IT makes possible.
by JSMay 4, 2017
fascinating subject. Excellent course whether you want to just learn about the history of the manuscripts or try creating some yourself. The Spanish professor is a real expert in the subject.
by JLSep 18, 2017
This is definitely a must for anyone with an interest in history. The combination of the historic backdrop and the practical nature of manuscript studies makes it even more
by GMFeb 19, 2017
You can read my full review on my blog:\n\nhttp://merrycx.wixsite.com/scribal/single-post/2017/02/19/Coursera-Medieval-Manuscript-Class---Final-Review
by RFAug 6, 2018
A very interesting and enjoyable course. The Hands-on project is very worthwhile but there is quite a lot to do.
by CJul 13, 2017
Very illuminating and interesting Course! I really enjoyed the combination of theory and hands-on!
by JQDec 10, 2017
Interesting and enjoyable course. Thanks for all the work in preparation of the course.
by IFJan 24, 2017
Very challenging and also a lot of fun. I learned a lot and want to continue
by ELAug 9, 2017
Great course, very informative, and left me inspired to learn more!
by CRNov 16, 2019
This is a very good course.\n\nI have learned a lot in a few weeks.
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