Book Studies Minor

The minor consists of a minimum of 5 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the minor.

Book Studies has emerged in the 21st century as an exciting and inherently interdisciplinary field of study. It encompasses the social and cultural history of books/texts and their transmission as well as artisanal and artistic approaches to the book as represented by book artists, illustrators, graphic designers, binders, fine press printers, and others engaged in studying the relationships between text and image. The “book” in Book Studies is multiform, extending beyond the printed codex to embrace all formats, from cuneiform tablets to electronic media. The study of the book-as a material, cultural, sociological, religious, and artistic artifact-reaches all corners of the globe and extends into all eras and attends to both hegemonic and divergent voices, while book history and book arts are mutually reinforcing.

Tracing technologies of reading and writing throughout history, across the globe, and in a variety of media, Book Studies provides a rich context in which to understand the cultural significance of current forms of communication and information storage, from social media to data mining. It fosters skills of critical thinking while placing equal emphasis on thinking practically about employment opportunities by alerting students and preparing them for careers in new media, art and design, academia, education, conservation, publishing in various media, archives, and librarianship.

Visit the Book Studies webpage for more information.

Students wishing to complete the Book Studies minor should complete the Minor Add or Drop form. The form requires the signature of the curricular committee chair, Ann Sherif.

Download the Minor Add or Drop form.

Summary of Requirements

ENGL 249 - Introduction to Book Studies
One History and Theory Course
One Practice Course
Two Additional Book Studies Electives
Culminating Experience

Note: Students must take courses in at least two departments in addition to the Introduction to Book Studies. An approved winter term project or summer internship can count in the Practice Category.

Curriculum Overview

Our goal is to provide pathways for students interested in books as communication, material culture, and artistic media on a global scale. Bridging theory and practice, history and contemporary culture, the intellectual and the artistic, Western and non-Western, Book Studies encourages connections across the curriculum and allows students to tailor a wide variety of courses to their particular interests. Book Studies pursues two core approaches: 1) history and theory, and 2) practice. By means of these two approaches Book Studies enables students to experience how making and creating go hand in hand with thinking and analyzing.

Intellectual Coherence Statement

Upon declaring a Book Studies Minor, students will identify an advisor from the Book Studies Committee. In consultation with the advisor, they will write an intellectual coherence statement, outlining their intended course of study and their understanding of how the courses undertaken will relate to one another. This statement will be submitted to the Book Studies Committee and periodically revisited by the student in consultation with the advisor.

Current Book Studies Committee

Ann Sherif, Professor of East Asian Studies, Committee Chair
Laura Baudot, Associate Professor of English
Alan Boyd, Interim Director of Libraries
Sarah Hamill, Assistant Professor of Art History
Erik Inglis, Professor of Art History
James O’Leary, Assistant Professor of Musicology
Ed Vermue, Special Collections Librarian
Nanette Yannuzzi-Macias, ex officio, Professor of Studio Art
Sandy Zagarell, Professor of English

Book Studies Minor Course Lists

History and Theory Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

Practice Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

By petition, a winter term project or summer internship may also count for Practice. For example, Winter Term Letterpress or Winter Term Papermaking may apply.

Book Studies Electives

Return to the summary of requirements.

History and Theory Courses
Practice Courses

Culminating Experience

Return to the summary of requirements.

Book Studies students will meet with Book Studies advisor and one other committee member to reflect on the minor.