MANUSCRIPTS CATALOGUING

The course is included among the characterising courses of the course and aims to provide students with the essential methodological tools in the field of manuscript cataloguing. Teaching objectives are: learning the principles of cataloguing, distinguishing the different types of cataloguing, applying the different types of description to the different purposes of description.

Knowledge and understanding
Know the basic principles of manuscript cataloguing
Know the main systems and types of manuscript cataloguing
Knowledge of the principles of electronic cataloguing

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Be able to apply the basic principles of manuscript cataloguing.
Be able to elaborate a description of a manuscript on the basis of its type and purpose.
Can draft an electronic description on the basis of the principles learned

Judgement skills
Being able to evaluate the contents of a description

Communication skills
Be able to communicate the contents of a description, using appropriate terminology

Learning skills
To be able to consult reference texts and the bibliography discussed during the lesson

Basic knowledge of the manuscript in its material and cultural-historical aspects is suggested.

The aim of the course is to critically review the history of manuscript catalography, focusing on current orientations, and to provide the technical knowledge and bibliographical tools to develop the skills necessary to independently carry out a catalographic description project of the manuscript book. The study of these aspects will not be separated from the necessary in-depth study of the historical and cultural dimension of the manuscript, as an object of use, circulation and conservation of knowledge. Topics of the course: 1. Forms and models of the medieval book; 2. Discussion of catalographic models in use; 3. Descriptive models; 4. Elements of catalographic description and data collection; 5. Printed and web-based bibliographical repertories and tools; 5. Cataloguing manuscripts on the Web: problems and perspectives.

A. Petrucci, La descrizione del manoscritto: storia, problemi, modelli, Roma, NIS, 1984; seconda ed. corretta e aggiornata, Roma, Carocci, 2001 (Beni Culturali, 24)

Reference bibliography used during lectures:

T. De Robertis, N. Giovè Marchioli (a cura di), Norme per la descrizione dei manoscritti, Firenze, SISMEL, 2021

ICCU, Guida ad una descrizione uniforme dei manoscritti e al loro censimento, Roma, ICCU, 1990 (disponibile online: https://manus.iccu.sbn.it/upload/GuidaAUnaCatalogazioneUniforme.pdf )

ICCU, Linee guida per la formulazione e il trattamento in ManusOnLine (MOL) delle voci di autorità di nomi di persone, di enti, di famiglie e di luoghi, Roma, ICCU, 2018 (disponibile online: https://manus.iccu.sbn.it/upload/LINEE_GUIDA_MOL.pdf )

B. Vanin, P. Eleuteri, F. Bernardi, Guida a Nuova Biblioteca Manoscritta, 2006 (on line: http://www.nuovabibliotecamanoscritta.it/documenti/sezioni/Generale/pdf/Guida_a_Nuova_Biblioteca_Manoscritta.pdf )

The examination consists of an oral interview that will test the acquisition of the following knowledge and skills
a. bibliography;
b. topics covered during the course and the practical training;
c. ability to describe a medieval or humanistic codex on the basis of the description sheet assigned during the course. The paper is to be sent in pdf format to the lecturer at the e-mail address one week before the date of the examination. The format of the form to be followed is in the teaching materials in Moodle.
The examination will be evaluated according to the following parameters:
the student's ability to convey the knowledge acquired in a personal and critical manner, demonstrating the use of language appropriate to the subject matter and the mastery of the expressive medium will be evaluated with marks ranging from excellent to good; a mnemonic knowledge of the subject matter, together with the ability to synthesise and analyse articulated in a correct but not always appropriate language, will lead to fair marks; formative gaps and/or inappropriate language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to marks that do not exceed sufficiency; formative gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographical materials offered during the course will be assessed negatively.

Lectures with the aid of power points, with direct access to digitised manuscript collections available on the web. The course includes lessons in the libraries of Venice where practical exercises in manuscript cataloguing will take place. Each student will be assigned a manuscript to describe on the basis of the descriptive principles in use. For this reason, attendance is strongly recommended.

Italian

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