This reading group will meet biweekly to participate in close readings of the Florentine Codex, a beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of Indigenous knowledge compiled in the 1570s in what is today Mexico City. We hope to create an opportunity for undergraduate students to deepen their engagement with and analysis of a single text while also welcoming interested graduate students and scholars. Meetings will consist of reading and discussing sections of the chapter together, and recommended secondary literature will be provided before each meeting. We will be using the translated Digital Florentine Codex, starting with Book 11: “Forest, Garden, Orchard.” Read more about the manuscript here. The group welcomes and would benefit from participants across disciplines, including Renaissance Studies, History of Science, History, Latin American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Art History, Book and Media Studies, Religion, Spanish, Material Culture, and more!

The group will meet in Pratt Library, Room 304 on alternating Mondays from 11:00am to 1:00 pm.

If you’re interested in joining the reading group, please contact the group’s coordinator Clara Mociani at clara.mociani@mail.utoronto.ca.

Schedule of Meetings

Monday, September 21, 11am–1pm

Monday, October 5, 11am–1pm *Meeting cancelled

Monday, October 19, 11am–1pm

Monday, November 2, 11am–1pm

Monday, November 16, 11am–1pm

Monday, November 30, 11am–1pm