Images, Visions and Dreams: Medieval Manuscripts and Visual Culture
At a Glance
- In person (Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable)
- Wednesdays 18:00 - 20:00
- 8 weeks | October - December
- Starts 23 October 2024
- Fees from £152 (single rate)
- Tutor: Dr Sarah James
Enrol-by Date
- 14 October 2024
This class takes place at the Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable in Kent
Discover the rich tapestry of European medieval culture with Dr. Sarah James, a renowned medievalist, on an fascinating journey through the vibrant world of medieval images. From wall paintings, tapestries and stained glass to manuscript illuminations, metalwork and painted statues, medieval society was immersed in imagery that was both decorative and deeply symbolic.
In this course, we will delve into the hidden meanings behind these fascinating images, exploring how they communicated knowledge, inspired emotions, and reflected the social and cultural contexts of their time. You’ll uncover the power of medieval images to evoke humor, affection, reverence, and even fear.
Dr. Sarah James will guide us through a wide range of media, helping us to understand the multifaceted roles of images in medieval life. We will also engage with literary and philosophical texts that offer insights into medieval perspectives on imagery and its place in the world. Unlike today, the medieval era did not draw clear lines between lived experience, fantasy, dreams, and visions, resulting in some of the most astonishing and vivid imagery ever created.
Whether you are new to the study of history, art, or literature, this course welcomes all curious minds. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of the medieval imagination and its enduring legacy.
Class Recordings
These classes are not recorded
Attendance Certificate
Successful completion of this course leads to the award of an Imperial College attendance certificate
Terms and conditions apply to all enrolments to this course. Please read them before enrolment
Course Information
Course Programme
Weekly Programme (subject to possible modification)
- Wednesday 23 October 2024: Images then and now: modern readings of images; introducing medieval iconography
- Wednesday 30 Octover 2024: Word and image: ekphrasis; images in the Gawain manuscript
- Wednesday 6 November 2024: Monkey business: the hidden language of marginal images in manuscripts
- Wednesday 13 November 2024: Public images: wall paintings and statues; preaching
- Wednesday 20 November 2024: Light of heaven: stained glass; religious devotion
- Wednesday 27 November 2024: Other worlds: images of heaven, hell and dream lands
- Wednesday 4 December 2024: Controversy: iconophobia and iconoclasm
- Wednesday 11 December 2024: Facing the past: medieval images now
Your Tutor
Dr Sarah James’s work is focused on medieval hagiography from c.1100-1500. Far from being timeless and aloof, saints in this period are continually being reimagined by writers in ways that perform important social, religious and political work of immediate contemporary relevance.
To understand that work Sarah explores a range of evidence, including the written lives, documentary records, and representations of the saints in material culture. Her geographical focus is wide-ranging, including both the Latin west and more recently Byzantium; the island of Cyprus in this period is of particular significance to her work at present and is likely to remain so.
Course Fees and Rate Categories
| Weeks | Standard Rate (single rate) | Internal Rate (single rate) | Associate Rate (single rate) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Early Bird: £152 Full price: £169 |
Early Bird: £152 Full price: £169 |
Early Bird: £152 Full price: £169 |
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| The fee rates quoted are for the whole course. The Early Bird rate is available until the end of 30 September only. Part-payments are not possible. | |||||
Rate Categories and Discounts
As this course operates a single rate, below details are for general information only
Standard Rate
- Available to all except those who fall under the Internal Rate or Associate Rate category.
Internal Rate
- Current Imperial College students and staff (incl. Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial Innovations, ancillary & service staff employed on long-term contracts at Imperial College by third-party contractors)
- People enrolling under our Friends & Family scheme
- Alumni of Imperial College and predecessor colleges and institutes, including City & Guilds College Association members
- Students, staff and alumni of the Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music and City, UAL and the City and Guilds of London Art School
- Students, staff and Governors of Woodhouse College and the IC Mathematics School
Associate Rate
- Austrian Cultural Forum staff
- Co-operative College members
- Francis Crick Institute staff, researchers and students
- Friends and Patrons of the English Chamber Orchestra
- Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
- Friends of Leighton House/ Sambourne House
- Friends of the Royal College of Music
- Harrods staff
- Historic Royal Palaces staff
- Lycee Charles de Gaulle staff
- Members of the Friends of Imperial College
- Members of the Kennel Club
- Members of the London Zoological Society
- Members of the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI)
- Members of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- National Health Service (NHS) employees
- Natural History Museum staff
- Residents of postcodes SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council staff
- Royal Geographical Society staff
- Science Museum staff
- Staff of Exhibition Road Cultural Group (Discover South Kensington) organisations
- Students (non-Imperial College)
- Teachers and other staff of UK schools
- The American Institute for Foreign Study
- Tutors and other staff of institution members of the Association of Colleges
- Tutors and other staff of other universities and higher education institutions
- Victoria and Albert Museum staff
Late enrolment
It is possible to enrol on many of our adult education courses after the course has already started. For non-language courses this is subject entirely to agreement by the tutor. For language courses it is subject to agreement by the language coordinator conducting level assessment. If you want to join a course late do bear in mind there might be work you will need to catch up on, particularly in language courses.
Friends and Family Scheme
This course is eligible for allowing Imperial College students and staff to share their discount with their friends and family.
Term Dates 2024-25
| Weeks | Autumn term | Spring term | Summer term | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Week starting 21 October to week ending 14 December 2024* | n/a | n/a | ||
| *This is a 1-term course | |||||
Enrolment Process
Enrolment via the blue booking link is open. Early-bird discounts are available until the end of 30 September 2024
Enrolment and payment run through the Imperial College eStore. When enrolling:
- Do check on the drop down menu above called "Course Fees and Rate Categories" to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate and also do make sure you select that rate when enrolling on the eStore
- If you are a first-time eStore user you will need to create an account before enrolling. You can do this by entering an email address and password. This account can then be used for any future enrolments via the eStore.
When you have enrolled you will be sent the following email notifications:
| What is sent | When is it sent | What does it contain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Payment confirmation | Is sent straight away following submission of your online application |
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| 2. Enrolment confirmation | Is usually sent within 10 working days. Please treat your payment confirmation as confirmation that your applicant details and payment have been received |
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| 3. Programme information | Is usually sent on Friday late afternoon the week before term starts |
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Any Questions?
If you have any questions about the academic content or teaching of this course please contact the Course Tutor, Sarah James, sarahjames@cantab.net
If you have any questions about your enrolment or payment processes please contact the Programme Administrator, Christian Jacobi, eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk