This interdisciplinary Minor in Medieval Studies introduces students to medieval (ca. 500- ca. 1500 CE) cultures across the world, providing them with an understanding of periods and movements, institutions, material culture, ideas, beliefs, and values of the diverse cultures that comprise the medieval globe.  The coursework spans both geographical regions and disciplines to introduce students to the breadth of medieval cultures as well as to the diversity of methods and perspectives for their study. 

The minor includes a minimum of 21 hours, divided into (I) an introductory course in global medieval literatures and cultures; (II) geographical distribution coursework as specified below; and (III) advanced medieval coursework selected by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor.  3 hours of appropriate language study can be applied to the Additional Medieval Studies Coursework.

3 hours - Introduction to Medieval Studies 1 - ENGL 202- Medieval Lit and Culture (same as MDVL 201 and CWL 253)

Geographical Distribution Coursework 2

3 hours - Medieval Europe- One course chosen from the following:

  • ARTH 111/MDVL 111                   Ancient to Medieval Art
  • ENGL 122/MDVL 122                 The Middle Ages in Popular Culture
  • ENGL 216/MDVL 216/CWL 216  Legends of King Arthur
  • ARTH 222/ MDVL 222                 Medieval Art
  • ARTH 231/MDVL 231                  Northern Renaissance Art
  • ITAL 240/MDVL 240                    Italy Middle Ages & Renaiss
  • HIST 245/MDVL 245                   Women & Gender in Pre-Mod Europe
  • HIST 247/MDVL 247                   Medieval Europe
  • SCAN 251/MDVL 251                 Viking Mythology
  • SCAN 252/MDVL 252                 Viking Sagas in Translation
  • HIST 255/MDVL 255                   British Isles to 1688
  • ARCH 412/MDVL 412                 Medieval Architecture

3 hours - Classical and Medieval East Asia- One course chosen from the following:

  • HIST 220/EALC 220        Traditional China
  • HIST 226/EALC 226        Pre-modern Japanese History
  • EALC 240                        Chinese Civilization
  • EALC 275/CWL 275        Masterpieces of East Asian Lit
  • RLST 287/EALC 287       Introduction to Buddhism

3 hours - Medieval Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East-One course chosen from the following:

  • HIST 130/ANTH 130                          History of South Asia
  • HIST 135                                            History of Islamic Middle East
  • LA 218/ASST 218                              S Asian Cultural Landscapes
  • LA 222/ARCH 222/ ARTH 222           Islamic Gardens and Architecture
  • REL 213                                             Intro to Islam (ACP)
  • REL 214                                             Introduction to Islam
  • REL 223/CWL 223/SAME 223           The Qur’an (Koran)
  • REL 260/SAME 260                           Mystics and Saints in Islam
  • REL 283/CWL 283                             Jewish Sacred Literature
  • CWL 208/ASST 208/REL 208            Cultures & Literature of South Asia

9 hours - Additional Medieval Studies Coursework - Medieval-related coursework from participating departments selected in consultation with the minor advisor.  At least 6 hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. A list of courses is here.  3 hours of appropriate language study can be applied to meet this requirement with approval of the Director of the Program in Medieval Studies.

Total hours: 21

1 A student may substitute the “Medieval World” section of HIST 100, Global History, by petition to the Director of Medieval Studies.  Only the section of HIST 100 devoted to the Middle Ages may be substituted.
2 A student may substitute 3 hours in geographical distribution coursework with a course on the medieval civilizations of the Americas: ANTH 277-Ancient Cities, Sacred Land or ANTH 278- Climate Change & Civilization.