From January 5-16, 2015, with the kind collaboration of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Library, BAV), the American Academy in Rome will offer its first Winter School in Greek Paleography and Codicology. The two curators of Greek manuscripts at the BAV, Dr Timothy Janz and Dr András Németh, will teach the courses and supervise manuscript research. The two-week course will introduce participants to various aspects of manuscript studies and offer an interactive dialogue between theory and practice.
Paleography and codicology seminars in the first week will familiarize the participants with different forms of Greek script through sight-reading practice. As a special strength of this course, extensive library visits at the BAV will enable each student to improve individual research skills according to given criteria, with the aid of the tutors. At the Library, each student will undertake a thorough codicological and paleographical study of a particular manuscript, selected and agreed upon on an individual basis between the participant and the tutors. Discussion sessions will offer a chance to discuss and share research experience within the group and to discuss various problems of theory and practice based on experience at the Vatican Library.
Several evening lectures by specialists will complete the course, including Msgr. Paul Canart of the Vatican Library and Professor Nigel Wilson of Oxford University.
Applications from graduate and postgraduate students of Classics, History, Theology/Religious Studies, and Byzantine Studies are welcome. Students from Italian and European institutions are most welcome. The course will be taught in English. Prior knowledge of Greek is essential. Applications should include a CV, a letter of intent specifying Greek language experience, research topic, and explaining the applicant’s need for training in paleography and codicology.
Further information is available at the Academy's web site. Please send application materials to paleography@aarome.org by October 15, 2014.
