Stroke Geography: Paleography & Calligraphy
Blend medieval and modern manuscript study with historical and expressive calligraphy in this unique exploration of writing as a form of geography.
Blend medieval and modern manuscript study with historical and expressive calligraphy in this unique exploration of writing as a form of geography.
This innovative course strengthens the connection between paleography and calligraphy through the concept of geographical exploration, addressing the teaching and learning of various writing styles applied to domains that made manuscripts essential elements of governance, administration, management, and expression. Each week explores different writing systems and their historical contexts, from cartography and military documentation to judicial administration and economic management. The historical documentary dimension serves as a foundation for approaching creative calligraphic processes and innovation in writing design inspired by historical influences. Students will develop tools and methods for identifying, analyzing, and transcribing handwritten texts while gaining a deep understanding of the historical contexts in which administrations and institutions generated documents. The curriculum examines letter types used in each historical situation, their characteristics and morphology, while building competencies in the use of writing instruments. The course culminates with an exploration of expressive calligraphy and the broader ecosystem of writing systems, including epigraphy, typography, and graphology. Through practical exercises, conversations with experts, and visits to specialized archives, students will bridge historical manuscript analysis with contemporary creative applications, gaining both analytical skills and artistic techniques applicable to modern design and communication contexts.
Instructors:
Spanish
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What you'll learn
Master tools and methods for identifying, analyzing, and transcribing handwritten texts Understand historical contexts in which administrations and institutions generated documents Identify letter types used in each historical situation, recognizing their characteristics and morphology Develop competencies in the use of various writing instruments for both historical and creative purposes Apply creative calligraphic techniques inspired by historical traditions Analyze the relationship between cartography and writing in historical contexts Recognize specialized documentation patterns in military, judicial, and economic institutions Develop a holistic understanding of writing systems including epigraphy, paleography, typography, and graphology
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
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There are 6 modules in this course
This course explores the intersection of historical manuscript analysis and creative calligraphy through the metaphor of geographical exploration. The curriculum is organized into six thematic units, each examining different domains where handwritten documents played crucial roles in history while connecting these traditions to contemporary creative applications. The first module investigates the relationship between cartography and writing, studying portolanos, nautical charts, plans, and maps in their connection to calligraphy and graphic design, with special attention to Mercator and modern cartographic schools. The second module focuses on military offices and their documentation, exploring the main document types in military administration history, calligraphic training in the army, and the documentary heritage of Defense. The third module examines judicial administration and manuscript practice, covering the functions, structures, and document production of justice institutions in Spanish history. The fourth module addresses economic affairs and business writing, investigating public institutions and private enterprise documentation and specific letterforms used in economic management. The fifth module transitions to creative aspects, exploring expressive calligraphy, visual stimuli, historical writing models and their current applications, and manuscript-inspired communication processes in advertising environments. The final module presents a holistic view of writing systems, examining the formal and material characteristics of different writing traditions, from strokes to graphs, and the mixture of writing styles in historical documentation.
Geografía del trazo: la cartografía y la escritura
Module 1
Oficinas en guerra: escritura y ejército
Module 2
Todo por escrito: la administración judicial y la práctica manuscrita
Module 3
Asuntos económicos y escritura del negocio
Module 4
Expresividad y legibilidad: la creatividad caligráfica
Module 5
Letras conocen letras: un ecosistema del trazo (epigrafía, paleografía, caligrafía, tipografía, grafología…)
Module 6
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
5 Courses
Scholar in Archival Science and Written Culture
Dr. Diego Navarro Bonilla, a professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, specializes in archival science, paleography, calligraphy, and the history of written culture. Holding doctorates in Documentation (UC3M) and Conflicts, Security, and Solidarity (University of Zaragoza), he directs the Master's program in Archives, Document Management, and Digital Continuity at UC3M. His research focuses on historical manuscripts, digital paleography, and the integration of archival practices with security and defense intelligence.
5 Courses
Historian and Expert in Archival Science and Intelligence History
Dr. Eduardo Juárez Valero, a professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, specializes in archival science, paleography, Spanish history, and the history of intelligence services. With a doctorate in History from UNED, he also serves as the President and Principal Investigator of the Centro de Investigación de la Guerra Civil Española (CIGCE). His work spans from medieval documentation to the study of espionage and intelligence structures during the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
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