The Winter School will not be offered for the 2026 module. Announcements regarding the 2028 meeting will follow in the future.
With the kind collaboration of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (BAV), the University of Notre Dame offers its Winter School in Latin Paleography and Codicology at Notre Dame Rome. Co-sponsored by The Medieval Institute and Center for Italian Studies, this two-week intensive course will introduce participants to various aspects of Latin Paleography and Codicology, offering a balance of theoretical and practical applications.
Participants will develop mastery of abbreviation systems, the ability to identify, classify, localize, and date western book hands (ca. 1100-1500), and an understanding of the historical development and influence of Latin scripts. Codicological principles and an introduction to analytical manuscript description will enable participants to interpret the manuscript as a complete object by utilizing physical properties such as collation, ruling patterns, and decoration in parallel with the script.
A special feature of the course will be extensive visits to the Vatican Library, which provide the opportunity for participants to apply the skills and techniques from the seminars with medieval manuscripts in situ. Discussion sections will offer a chance for students to share their experiences in a group setting and discuss various problems and difficulties. The course will culminate in a final presentation in which participants present the fruits of their research and field questions from an audience.
Evening lectures by specialists will provide in-depth supplementary content to particular aspects of the seminars.
Director
Dr. David T. Gura, curator of Ancient of Medieval Manuscripts and concurrent professor of paleography, will teach the course and supervise manuscript research.
Questions
All questions may be directed to: Dr. David T. Gura, Curator, Ancient and Medieval Manuscripts, University of Notre Dame (
dgura@nd.edu).