https://at-ceu.studyguide.timeedit.net/modules/HISU5019?type=COREThe course is aimed at giving a basic introduction to manuscript studies, starting with codicological description, and continuing with issues of palaeography (in other words: what skills we need to be able to read the texts in the manuscripts) before entering the main subject of the course: text criticism and methods of critical edition.The instructor is not a trained codicologist, nor a palaeographer. However, he has extensively worked for over 35 years with manuscripts (Greek, Syriac, and Malayalam) and even more extensively with textual criticism including Latin texts, and is willing to share his experience with the students. The course is given to MA and BA students, Ph.D. students can audit it. Instructor: István Perczel (CEU). However, manuscript experts from Vienna will be invited to give guest presentations either at CEU, or at their working place, where they will present their work, giving access to the manuscripts.An organic continuation of the course will be the INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL IN THE HISTORY OF THE BOOK - LATE MIDDLE AGES AND EARLY MODERN PERIOD in Cluj, Romania, on July 12-18, organised and financed by the Eurasian Transformations Cluster of Excellence awarded by the Austrian Science Fund to the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the University of Vienna, the University of Innsbruck, and CEU (see below). The best 2 to 4 students in the course will be awarded a scholarship to participate at the summer school. The Cluster will cover their expenses including travel, lodging, and boarding. The main organiser is Prof. Paulina Rychterová (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Medieval Institute).