Albert Derolez

M-40: Latin Paleography, 1100-1500


15 - 19 October 2007 in Charlottesville

 

1)    How useful were the pre-course readings?

 

1: I think it was important to do the pre-course readings. They were very important background to the course. 3: Very useful; particularly Albert’s book.

 

2)    Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class appropriate and useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?

 

1: There was no syllabus as such, but the handbook distributed was essential to the class. 2: The course booklet has many examples, and will be very helpful to refer to in the future. 3: Yes.

 

3)    What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?

 

1: The most effective aspect of the course was to practice reading and identifying these scripts with the help of a very experienced and knowledgeable paleographer. The intellectual level was high, as expected. 2: Learning to read different scripts and place them in their historic context will be most useful to me at work. Learning AD’s categorization system was very interesting, but I’m going to have to work harder at that once I’m home. 3: Explanation of Lieftinck-Gambert’s classification system; yes.

 

4)    If your course left its classroom to visit Special Collections (SC) or to make other field trips away from your classroom, was the time devoted to this purpose well spent?

 

1: We had no visits. 3: Yes.

 

5)    What did you like best about the course?

 

1: As above in number 3. 2: AD’s enthusiasm and attention. He is an excellent, excellent teacher. 3: The instructor; particularly his patience, and good humor.

 

6)    How could the course have been improved?

 

1: Digital images would be an improvement. 2: I could have been more competent in Latin. 3: Perhaps better photocopies in handbook; otherwise the shortcomings were my own, i.e., my Latin could have been better!

 

7)    We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS teaching collections and of materials owned by UVa’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?

 

1: I had no concerns. We handled a few manuscript fragments, and they were well-treated. 3: None.

 

8)    If you attended the Sunday and/or other evening lectures, were they worth attending?

 

1: Yes. The Monday evening lecture was very interesting, and relevant. 2: They’re always worth attending. Tim’s project is very interesting. 3: Yes, Tim Stinson’s talk was appropriate for the course.

 

9)    Did you get your money’s worth? Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year?

 

1: Well worth the time and money. I would advise anyone to take this course. 2: I got far mare than I could dare expect. 3: Yes; not a course for beginners. Essential to have very good Latin, and a lot of patience; transcription exercises can be very difficult, but a very worthwhile experience and privilege to have AD as a teacher and guide.

 

Number of respondents: 3

 

                                                                  Percentages

Leave                        Tuition                      Housing                    Travel

Institution                 Institution                 Institution                 Institution

gave me leave            paid tuition               paid housing              paid travel

100%                           100%                           33%                             33%

I took vaca-                I paid tui-                   I paid for my              I paid my own

tion time                    tion myself                 own housing              travel

0%                               0%                               33%                             33%

N/A: self-                    N/A: Self-                   N/A: stayed                N/A: lived

employed, re-            employed,                  with friends               nearby

tired, or had              retired, or                  or lived at

summers off               scholarship                home

0%                               0%                               33%                             33%

 

There were 1 rare book librarian (33%); 1 general librarian with some rare book duties (33%); and 1 RBS staff member (33%).