Medieval Studies
Coordinator: John Black
The medieval studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that examines the art, history, literature, music, and philosophy of the middle ages (c.500 CE to c.1500 CE). The program seeks to increase students' knowledge of the middle ages and appreciation for the ways in which medievalists draw on interdisciplinary methodologies and sources. Courses taken as part of study abroad may work well within this minor. If you are interested in pursuing the medieval studies minor, please contact Dr. John Black, coordinator of the medieval studies minor.
→ Student Learning Outcomes
The requirements for the medieval studies minor consist of five course units: two core courses, two electives, and the capstone. Students must take courses in at least three disciplines; in other words, at least one of the two elective courses must come from a discipline outside of English or history. Medieval Studies 370 is the capstone course for the minor. As for all independent study courses, students must have a QPA of at least 2.70 to enroll. The minor requirements cannot be fulfilled without successful completion of the capstone course.
Core (two courses): History 116 (Medieval Europe) and either English 350 (Chaucer) or 355 (Literature and Culture of Medieval Britain) or English 104 (Experience of Literature: Medieval Voices) [Note that there are multiple sections of English 104; ONLY this specific section, taught by Dr. Black, fulfills a requirement for the medieval studies minor.]
Electives (two courses): Selected from the list below. At least one of the two elective courses must come from a discipline outside of English or history.
Capstone (MDVL 370): see further below
List of elective courses:
| Art 113 | Global Perspectives in Art History to the Renaissance (M6) |
| English 104* | Experience of Literature: Medieval Voices (M2) [Note that there are multiple sections of English 104; ONLY this specific section, taught by Dr. Black, fulfills a requirement for the medieval studies minor.] |
| English 350* | Chaucer |
| English 355* | Literature and Culture of Medieval Britain |
| History 117 | England through the Reign of Elizabeth (M1) |
| History 119 | Arab-Islamic Civilizations (M5) |
| History 237 | Popular Culture in Medieval and Early Modern Europe |
| History 238 | Women in Europe, 500-1700 |
| History 376 | Medieval Peasants |
| Music 281 | Western Music to 1750 |
| Philosophy 243 | Medieval Philosophy |
* Whichever is not selected as the required course above.
190-99, 290-99, 390-99. Special Topics. Selected interdisciplinary topics in medieval studies. Prerequisites: History 116; English 104 (see note attached to English 104 above), 350, or 355; and permission of instructor and program coordinator.
Black
370. Capstone in Medieval Studies. Intensive independent study and research in an area of medieval scholarship in which the student has demonstrated sufficient interest and ability. Content varies. The capstone project must draw explicitly on methodologies of more than one discipline. Prerequisites: History 116; English 104 (see note attached to English 104 above), 350, or 355; GPA of 2.70 or above; satisfactory completion of a writing-intensive course; and permission of instructor and program coordinator.
Black
286, 381-384. Independent Study.
400-401. Honors.