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.
Offered By


Deciphering Secrets: The Illuminated Manuscripts of Medieval Europe
University of Colorado SystemAbout this Course
Offered by

University of Colorado System
The University of Colorado is a recognized leader in higher education on the national and global stage. We collaborate to meet the diverse needs of our students and communities. We promote innovation, encourage discovery and support the extension of knowledge in ways unique to the state of Colorado and beyond.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
COURSE INTRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL WORLD AND MANUSCRIPT STUDIES
Week #1
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 1) AND WRITING SUPPORTS AND BOOK FORMATS
WEEK #2
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 1) AND WRITING SUPPORTS AND BOOK FORMATS: Lesson Choices
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 2) AND THE WRITING CASE AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CODEX
WEEK #3
MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN KINGDOMS (PART 2) AND THE WRITING CASE AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CODEX: Lesson Choices
A GLIMPSE OF SPAIN'S KING ALFONSO X "THE WISE" AND PREPARING THE PAGE FOR WRITING
WEEK #4
A GLIMPSE OF SPAIN'S KING ALFONSO X "THE WISE" AND PREPARING THE PAGE FOR WRITING: Lesson Choices
Reviews
- 5 stars78.10%
- 4 stars13.13%
- 3 stars3.64%
- 2 stars2.91%
- 1 star2.18%
TOP REVIEWS FROM DECIPHERING SECRETS: THE ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE
I enjoyed this course immensely. Be aware that the hands-on assignments are liable to take more than five hours each.
The course content is beautiful - I enjoyed the part focusing on the manuscripts more but the historical concept part was also interesting. The only suggestion could be focusing less on Spain.
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.
Very challenging and also a lot of fun. I learned a lot and want to continue
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