Technologies of Handwriting: History, Theory, Practice (ENGLISH 34N)

3 credits · Undergraduate

Can you write with a quill like a medieval monk, or tell a person's criminal tendencies through their script? Handwriting, including inscription, is one of the most important communication technologies. From thousands of years ago to today, it records human experience and endeavor. This course explores the changing life of the handwritten - from the earliest Bibles to graffiti, tattoo, the writing of monarchs and presidents to machine learning and methods of authentication. Students will consider the social, historical, and cultural importance of handwriting; practice hands-on calligraphy; and investigate how AI can be trained to read script. We shall also investigate cryptography, forensic graphology, and the value of handwriting asking what the future of handwriting might be in an increasingly virtual world.