Module manager: Dr N. Kıvılcım Yavuz
Email: N.K.Yavuz@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
MEDV5120M
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module introduces you to the fascinating world of medieval handwriting, with a focus on analysing letter forms and understanding the chronological development of scripts. It offers a balanced approach, combining theory with practical skills to help you read and interpret primary sources independently. You will explore essential tools for working with manuscript sources, examining the evolution of medieval handwriting and textual features such as ligatures, abbreviations, and punctuation. The module will ordinarily focus on manuscript texts in Latin scripts, and while knowledge of a medieval language is not mandatory, it would be helpful. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The objective of the module is to explore different styles of medieval handwriting within their manuscript contexts and facilitate direct engagement with medieval primary sources. You will gain extensive hands-on experience in working with medieval manuscripts, both by using primary sources housed at the Special Collections of the University of Leeds Libraries and by engaging with digital repositories, resources and methodologies.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically read and analyse medieval handwriting, applying current editing conventions to manuscript texts;
2. Demonstrate skills to examine and transcribe medieval manuscript texts according to current standards and practices.
3. Use a range of digital tools and platforms to evaluate and analyse manuscript data and information.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Investigate a variety of sources of information on a subject, in order to provide answers or a solution;
5. Analyse and interpret information to aid understanding, inform decisions and opinions.
6. Identify appropriate technologies and digital platforms for discrete tasks.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 280 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Ahead of the two summative assignments, you will undertake a formative assignment consisting of a transcription exercise to allow you to build up confidence in reading different types of medieval scripts and in presenting your transcriptions appropriately. You will receive peer-feedback, enabling you to learn from each other, as well as written feedback from the module leader for this formative assignment. Depending on the size of the class, the formative assignment might be organised as group work to enable you to adopt a collaborative and participatory approach to problem solving.
You will be actively learning how to read and transcribe a variety of manuscript texts through a variety of applied tasks throughout the module. The seminars themselves will provide opportunities to provide formative feedback as you develop your skills.
You will receive feedback on your first summative assignment before you start working on your second summative assignment, which you will use to improve your understanding of medieval scripts and scribal behaviours. Therefore, feedback on summative work also has a key formative function.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Transcription Excercise One | 50 |
| Coursework | Transcription Excercise Two | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
In most cases, the form of resit will be the same as the original assessment.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 20/04/2026
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