MCM101 Lesson 13

LESSON 13: MASS MEDIA – HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

1. What is considered the “pioneer in mass communication” before the printing press?
   Hand-written books are considered the pioneer in mass communication as they could carry messages to many others on a limited scale.
2. During which century was the “age of religious manuscript” book production?
   The age of religious manuscript book production was from the 7th to the 13th century.
3. What were the two drivers for the production of secular books in the 13th to 15th centuries?
   The two drivers were the rise of universities in Europe and the return of the crusaders in the 13th century who brought texts from Byzantium.
4. What is an “illuminated manuscript”?
   An illuminated manuscript is a hand-written book, often a religious text, that is elaborately decorated and illustrated, created as an act of worship.
5. Name one famous example of an illuminated manuscript mentioned in the lesson.
   The Book of Kells is a famous example of an illuminated manuscript.
6. What was the original method of printing?
   The original method of printing was block printing, pressing sheets of paper into individually carved wooden blocks.
7. Who invented the use of movable type in printing and when?
   Bi Sheng in China invented the use of movable type in printing in 1041 AD.
8. Who is credited with refining the printing press with the widespread use of movable type in Europe?
   Johann Gutenberg is credited with refining the printing press with the widespread use of movable type in Europe.
9. Explain why books in the 7th to 13th centuries were “objects of religious veneration.”
   They were seen as consecrated objects; their creation was an act of religious devotion, making the word of God manifest, not just reproducing books.
10. Explain the limitation of monastic libraries in advancing European life during the manuscript period.
    Manuscript books were mostly locked up in monasteries, too valuable for general access, and lacked a uniform cataloging system, making it difficult to use them for scholarship even if access was granted.
11. How did the purpose of book production change between the 13th and 16th centuries?
    It shifted from religious devotion to the reproduction of classic texts, the development of new scientific books, and their use as elements of propaganda and religious education, moving away from the Church’s monopoly.
12. Explain the significance of the “interlace” design in manuscripts like the Book of Durrow.
    Interlace was a woven pattern with zoomorphic and abstract elements, not meant for naturalistic representation but to symbolically represent aspects of Christ’s life, showing continuity between decoration and text.
13. Why was the printing of books with moveable type considered a “paradigm shift”?
    It marked a fundamental change in the way information was transferred in Europe, comparable to the development of language or the invention of the computer in its societal effects.
14. How did the technology of the printing press interact with broader political/economic changes?
    The printing press, coupled with changes like the rise of a European-dominated world economy, wrought changes in how Europe saw its place in the world, facilitating the spread of new ideas.
15. Explain one reason why movable type was not extensively used in China despite being invented there.
    Since there are thousands of Chinese characters, the benefit of movable type was not as apparent as with alphabetic-based languages, so it never gained widespread use until the European press was introduced.
16. Describe the role of monks in the production of early manuscripts.
    Monks in monasteries made copies of both religious and secular manuscripts by hand, dedicating years to single chapters as an act of religious devotion, but they did not significantly contribute to advancing the intellectual tradition.
17. A historian finds a beautifully illustrated 8th-century Bible. Based on the lesson, what was the primary motivation for its creation?
    The primary motivation was religious worship; it was created as an act of devotion to make the word of God manifest, not for widespread dissemination or scholarly use.
18. Analyze the following scenario: A scholar in the 14th century wants to study a specific Greek text. Based on the lesson, what major obstacle might they face?
    The major obstacle would be access; the text might be locked in a distant monastery with no catalog to locate it, making it nearly impossible to find and study.
19. A museum curator is designing an exhibit on the transition from manuscripts to printed books. What key change in the ‘purpose’ of books should the exhibit highlight?
    The exhibit should highlight the shift from books as objects of religious veneration to books as tools for secular knowledge, scientific advancement, and propaganda.
20. Based on the lesson, why might a European ruler in the 16th century view the printing press as a threat?
    The printing press could be seen as a threat because it broke the Church’s and monarchy’s control over information, allowing for the rapid spread of new and potentially challenging ideas, such as those leading to the Protestant Reformation.
21. Apply your knowledge: How did the physical beauty of illuminated manuscripts potentially limit their societal impact?
    Their beauty and the immense resources required to produce them made them precious objects to be locked away, rather than functional tools for widespread education and scholarly exchange, thus limiting their impact on broader society.
22. Why was the invention of paper, as mentioned in the lesson, a crucial precursor to the printing press?
    Paper, being more sustainable and easier to transport than materials like vellum or bark, provided the essential medium on which the printing press could efficiently produce multiple copies, revolutionizing communication.
23. If you were to explain the key difference between block printing and movable type to a student, what would you say?
    Block printing requires a new, entirely carved wooden block for each page, making it incredibly time-consuming for different books. Movable type uses separate, reusable characters that can be rearranged for each page, making the process much more efficient.
24. A Korean historian claims their country sponsored the production of metal type before Gutenberg. Based on the lesson, is this claim supported?
    Yes, the lesson states that the Korean government sponsored a type foundry for metal type in the early 15th century, which was before Gutenberg’s work in the 1440s.
25. Based on the lesson, what was one major consequence of the “securalization of book production” that began in the 13th century?
    One major consequence was that books began to explain the observable world, fueling the rise of universities and the return of classical knowledge, which eventually led to the Renaissance and scientific revolution.