TY1PRI-Printing and printmaking

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Rob Banham
Email: r.e.banham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The invention of printing, and the resulting spread of knowledge, played a crucial part in the development of modern society. This module will provide students with a broad overview of advances in printing and printmaking over the past 500 years. We will study how technological advances and the changing needs of readers affected the production, distribution, and reception of printed documents of all kinds. Students will also gain practical experience of printing, including letterpress, copper-engraving, and stone lithography, and will have opportunities to handle books, prints, and artefacts produced by some of the great printers and printmakers of the past.

Aims:

This module aims to give students an understanding of the three main branches of printing and printmaking (relief, intaglio, and planographic) and the limitations and opportunities afforded by different historical printing processes. This will be informed by hands-on experience in workshops as well as lectures and seminars. Students will learn about key technological developments in printing and some of the innovators and pioneers who made or exploited them, and explore their impact on print culture.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Explain connections between different developments and advances in printing and print making


• Discuss the influence of printing and printmaking techniques and technologies on visual culture


• Discuss developments in printing in a broader historical context


• Demonstrate practical knowledge of letterpress printing


• Develop skills in academic research and writing

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop basic academic skills such as note taking; critical discussion of readings; and essay writing. They will also become familiar with handling rare materials from collections and archives.

Outline content:

The module focuses on developments in printing, from the introduction of printing with moveable type to Europe, to the end of the 20th century. It will also cover the contributions of key innovators and pioneers. The course will include topics such as:

• Gutenberg and handmade type


• Manuscript and print


• Engraving and etching


• Lithography


• Printing in colour


• Hot metal and phototypesetting


• Moxon and print in the Enlightenment


• Christopher Plantin and Robert Estienne


• Baskerville and Bodoni


• Private presses and modernist publishing

Global context:

Students will examine the work of artists, printers, and craftsmen from a number of different countries. They will consider the influence of printing in other cultures on European developments, as well as the global impact of the ‘invention’ of printing by Gutenberg, its industrialization in the 19th century, and democratization in the 20th century.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will be by weekly lectures plus five practical letterpress printing sessions and three seminars.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		5
Practicals classes and workshops		10
Guided independent study:		175
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Portfolio	40
Set exercise	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework will typically consist of the following: a working journal reflecting on their learning (portfolio 40%), a written essay of 2000-2500 words (50%), and a practical printing project (set exercise 10%). A Department specific (University approved) form of step-marking is employed for all coursework submissions.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive formative feedback on their journal during the course of the module. The practical printing component will be undertaken during class with formative feedback from a tutor throughout.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of failed coursework for written assignment and portfolio. Alternative assessment for project output.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required textbooks: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022