Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

090087 UE Introduction to Textual Criticism: From Manuscript to Print Edition (2024W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 9 - Altertumswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
We 22.01. 12:30-14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 14 participants
Language: German, English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 09.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 16.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 30.10. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 06.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 13.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 20.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 27.11. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 04.12. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 11.12. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 08.01. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 15.01. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 29.01. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Classical and Byzantine Studies rely on sources that have come down to us in (hand)written form through papyri and medieval manuscripts. Today, however, if students want to read these sources (e.g. historical sources), they do not read the manuscripts; in fact, ancient sources can easily be accessed through modern editions and be read in their original language or in translation.
How is an edition of an ancient text prepared? What is the difference between a simple edition and a critical edition? How can we use one, and how can we even make one? This practical course will provide answers to these questions.
The course will introduce students to the method, tools, philological techniques and history of the transmission of ancient and medieval texts.
The first part of the course will focus on the history of textual transmission. Basic concepts (original, autograph, tradition) and main phenomena (types and history of books and their circulation in antiquity and the Middle Ages) will be illustrated.
The second part of the course will be devoted to the theory and technique of textual criticism and, in particular, to the types of errors that scribes made when copying manuscripts and how they affected the textual transmission. Together with the lecturer, students will work on specific cases of error and learn how to recognise them; particular attention will be paid to the comparison between manuscripts and critical editions. In this section, students will learn how a critical edition is produced and will become familiar with the steps involved in the production of such an edition.
In the third part of the course, students will gain an insight into how ancient and Byzantine authors edited texts. Specific cases of the editing and transmission of texts in antiquity and the Middle Ages will be illustrated, with a special focus on so-called 'second editions' and authorial variants.
One visit at the Collection of Manuscripts and Old Prints of the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) is planned.
The lessons will be held in English, but German may in any case be used as the language of discussion and conversation.

Assessment and permitted materials

-Attendance (max. 2 absences)
-Active participation in class discussions
-Submission of assignments on time, including production of a sample edition and a short presentation to the class
-Final oral examination

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Knowledge of Greek is desirable.
Since this is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory. No more than two absences are allowed. The absences must be announced in advance, by email, to the instructor. Each partial performance must be graded at least ‘sufficient’ in order to successfully pass the course.

Examination topics

Topics discussed during the course.

Reading list

• Maas, P. (1960). Textkritik (4. Aufl.). Leipzig: Teubner / Maas, P. (1972). Textual criticism (Reprinted). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
• Reynolds, L. D., & Wilson, N. G. (2013). Scribes and scholars : a guide to the transmission of Greek and Latin literature (4. ed.). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press.
• West, M. L. (1973). Textual criticism and editorial technique : applicable to Greek and Latin texts. Stuttgart: B.G. Teubner.

Additional readings will be announced in the course of the semester.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 09.10.2024 17:25