Major Description

The Medieval Studies program fosters an ability to interpret intersections among cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, and identities, the critical use of historical evidence, and the ability to construct arguments informed by ideas of temporalities and geographies. Medieval Studies majors undertake an interdisciplinary approach to the study of a primary, secondary, and third area within the field. The areas of concentration are typically art history and archaeology, history and culture, and languages and literature. Classes in the College of Letters (COL), music history, and religious studies can also fulfill MDST electives.

Proficiency in at least one modern foreign language is required, and knowledge of Latin, Greek, or Arabic is strongly encouraged. Students are expected to complete a capstone project that may be a senior thesis, a senior essay, or a seminar paper. This can be evaluated for Honors or High Honors (by two MDST faculty). Those recommended for high honors may be nominated for University Honors.

The skills acquired by Medieval Studies students—knowledge of historic cultures, manuscript study and text analysis, experience handling artifacts, and familiarity with historic and modern languages—provide good preparation for advanced degrees, whether in the humanities, law, or other professional schools.

Admission to the Major

No specific courses are required for admission to the Medieval Studies major.

Major Requirements

Medieval Studies majors take 10 classes in a broad range of fields that include art history, archaeology, history, languages, literature, music, manuscript studies, and religious studies. Majors develop expertise in three areas of concentration (art history and archaeology, history and culture, and languages and literature). Selections are typically structured according to the following distribution:

·       4 courses in the student’s chosen primary area of MDST

·       2 courses in the student’s second area of MDST

·       1 course in the student’s third area of MDST

·       3 additional courses in any area of Medieval Studies, or in another field deemed, in consultation with the advisor, to be closely related to the student’s work, in subject matter or method

Student Learning Goals

Medieval Studies majors will be expected to master the following skills:

·        An ability to interpret intersections among cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, and identities.

·        The critical use of historical evidence across a range of disciplines.

·        The ability to construct arguments informed by ideas of temporalities and geographies.

Study Abroad

Students majoring in the program are encouraged to spend at least one semester studying abroad. Programs of study must be approved in advance by the student’s advising committee.

Language Requirement

Proficiency in at least one modern foreign language is required, and knowledge of Latin, Greek, or Arabic is strongly encouraged.

Honors

Honors and high honors are awarded by vote of two Medieval Studies faculty to students whose coursework is judged to be of sufficiently high quality and who have done outstanding work on one or more of the following writing projects: a senior thesis, a senior essay, or a seminar paper nominated for honors or high honors by the instructor in the seminar. Those recommended for high honors in the program may be nominated for University Honors.

Capstone Experience

Students in the program are normally expected to complete at least one long paper that may be a senior thesis, a senior essay, or a seminar paper.