BOOK 602 The Book: Past and Present

1.5 credits 45.0 hours
600 level graduate course

The history of the book occurs in unison with the research of contemporary artists books in order for students to gain a thorough understanding of the historical precedence of the medium; and gain knowledge in which to position their own work within a historical, cultural, and contemporary context. This course will alternate between the history of the book one week, and then contemporary artist books which incorporate or respond to the historical materials covered in the preceding class, the following week. The class will make site visits to prominent collections to view and study pertinent examples. Students will be also be expected to write and analyze in a critical manner the materials covered while examining how they relate to their own art making practices and realizations.Hands-on study of rare books and manuscripts form antiquity to the present, with discussions dealing with their structural, historical, and artistic significance. The class meets at the Library Company of Philadelphia, with field trips to local special collections.

Open to graduate Book Arts majors only.
This course is not repeatable for credit.