2025
Paleography and Diplomatics
Name: Paleography and Diplomatics
Code: HIS02461L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
History
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
This course aims to equip students with the basic skills to read documentation from the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries, as well as the ability to identify the production centres and the main documentary types produced.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
I - MAIN OBJECTIVE
- to know how to transcribe texts from different script types and historical periods.
II - COMPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVES:
- to distinguish the major types of script;
- to know how to apply different transcription criteria;
- to understand the development of the most common abbreviations;
- to skillfully use abbreviation dictionaries;
- to be familiar with the main research tools for resolving both vocabulary-related doubts in pre-Contemporary Portuguese and issues related to abbreviations;
- to have a general understanding of the characteristics of the main types of documents from the periods considered and their respective validation systems;
- to know how to apply the basic principles of archival science from a researcher's perspective;
- to acquire basic skills in preparing critical editions of texts;
- to understand the basic principles of Digital Palaeography.
- to know how to transcribe texts from different script types and historical periods.
II - COMPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVES:
- to distinguish the major types of script;
- to know how to apply different transcription criteria;
- to understand the development of the most common abbreviations;
- to skillfully use abbreviation dictionaries;
- to be familiar with the main research tools for resolving both vocabulary-related doubts in pre-Contemporary Portuguese and issues related to abbreviations;
- to have a general understanding of the characteristics of the main types of documents from the periods considered and their respective validation systems;
- to know how to apply the basic principles of archival science from a researcher's perspective;
- to acquire basic skills in preparing critical editions of texts;
- to understand the basic principles of Digital Palaeography.
Contents
1. Palaeography and Diplomatics: the concepts.
2. Writing and its evolution.
2.1. Material production of writing: media, inks, and instruments.
2.2. Introduction to the major types of handwritten script.
2.3. General characteristics of ancient writing (13th?18th centuries).
3. The agents and centers of production.
4. Documents: diplomatic content, typologies and templates; validation processes.
5. Transcription criteria and practical transcription exercises.
6. Abbreviations: logical and illogical; development of the most common; abbreviations that should be retained. Abbreviation dictionaries as research tools.
7. The editing of texts.
8. The different types of archives, criteria for document processing, and the most common descriptive tools.
9. Introduction to Digital Palaeography.
2. Writing and its evolution.
2.1. Material production of writing: media, inks, and instruments.
2.2. Introduction to the major types of handwritten script.
2.3. General characteristics of ancient writing (13th?18th centuries).
3. The agents and centers of production.
4. Documents: diplomatic content, typologies and templates; validation processes.
5. Transcription criteria and practical transcription exercises.
6. Abbreviations: logical and illogical; development of the most common; abbreviations that should be retained. Abbreviation dictionaries as research tools.
7. The editing of texts.
8. The different types of archives, criteria for document processing, and the most common descriptive tools.
9. Introduction to Digital Palaeography.
Teaching Methods
This course is centered on palaeographic reading and therefore frequently involves transcription exercises from different historical periods. These exercises serve as the basis for applying and practicing the theoretical aspects of the course.
Even topics such as archival research or the introduction to Digital Palaeography are addressed through practical exercises.
The course?s Moodle page, which students are expected to visit regularly, serves as a complement to in-person sessions and as a platform for sharing materials and information.
Even topics such as archival research or the introduction to Digital Palaeography are addressed through practical exercises.
The course?s Moodle page, which students are expected to visit regularly, serves as a complement to in-person sessions and as a platform for sharing materials and information.
Assessment
The student may choose between continuous assessment or a final exam.
Continuous assessment includes two tests (40% each one) ? one focused on the medieval period and the other on the early modern ?and a practical assignment (a transcription), which may cover either of the two time periods (20%).
As this is a highly practical course unit, it is recommended that students opt for the continuous assessment format.
Continuous assessment includes two tests (40% each one) ? one focused on the medieval period and the other on the early modern ?and a practical assignment (a transcription), which may cover either of the two time periods (20%).
As this is a highly practical course unit, it is recommended that students opt for the continuous assessment format.
Teaching Staff
- André Filipe Madruga Coelho
- Maria Fernanda de Olival [responsible]
Certificações
