The IIS-ISMC Joint Library in Central London warmly invites applications for a five-day workshop entitled Introduction to Arabic Manuscript Studies, led by a world expert on Islamic manuscripts Adam Gacek.
The primary focus of the workshop is to provide an overview of writing supports and structures of Islamic manuscripts, bookbinding and decoration, scripts, as well as composition and transmission of texts. The last day will feature a hands-on session where participants will be able to examine rare manuscripts from the Institutes’ collections under the supervision of the instructors.
The workshop is open to suitably qualified academics, scholars and students.
The deadline for applications is March 4, 2016.
The fee for the five-day workshop is £500, with an early bird discount of £50 for bookings received by Friday 29 February 2016.
Applicants should email Walid Ghali at walid.ghali@aku.edu with their affiliation and contact details. Payment will be required by bank transfer on successful registration.
Workshop Schedule
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Monday 4 April
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Tuesday 5 April |
Wednesday 6 April
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Thursday 7 April
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Friday 8 April
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Morning |
All-day hands-on sessions
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Overview of the manuscript age and the world of the scribe
Writing surfaces (papyrus, parchment, paper) |
The text block and its make-up (sheet, folio, bifolio, quire)
The text (composition), its arrangement and presentation |
Scripts and hands (introduction to palaeography)
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Painted decoration (illumination) and bookbinding (structure and decoration)
History of manuscripts (ownership statements and seal impressions; reading notes, etc.) |
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Afternoon |
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Writing implements (pens, inks, etc.)
Alpha-numerical and numerical systems
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The colophon; dates and dating
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Transmission of texts (collation, corrections, certificates, glosses)
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Manuscripts and popular culture (magic and superstition)
Forgeries and questionable assertions
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Speaker
Adam Gacek
A retired Faculty Lecturer and former Head of the Islamic Studies Library, McGill University, Adam Gacek is the author of a sizeable corpus of publications on Islamic manuscripts, including The Arabic Manuscript Tradition: a Glossary of Technical Terms and Bibliography (2001, 2008 - Supplement), and Arabic Manuscripts: a Vademecum for Readers (2009).