Medieval Studies

Major in medieval studies: The Medieval Studies Program provides the structure within departmental course offerings for a comprehensive major in a particular area of concentration in the medieval period — such as literature, history, or philosophy — chosen by the student and approved by the committee at the time the major is declared. The program consists of three parts:

I. Required Courses

Art: Medieval Art (320) full course
Classics: Medieval Latin (405) full course
English: Earlier Medieval Literature, Chaucer (351, 352) two full courses
History: Medieval Europe (303, 304) two full courses
Philosophy: History of Philosophy (203) full course, Medieval Philosophy (302) full course
Total: eight full courses

II. Research Project and Paper — Majors are required to carry through a research project culminating in a paper of interdisciplinary character in the chosen area of concentration, whose subject is approved by the committee at the beginning of the senior year. The project is directed by a member of the committee but evaluated by an interdisciplinary panel.

III. Electives — Elective courses are recommended by the committee in accordance with the student's approved area of concentration from among upper-level course offerings in various disciplines.

Majors must pass a written comprehensive examination of interdisciplinary character devised and judged by an interdisciplinary panel. A citation of honors on the research paper and on the written comprehensive examination by a majority of the members of the examining panel qualify the major for honors.

Majors are encouraged to satisfy the college language requirement with Latin as early as possible and to complete the program requirement in Latin at their first opportunity. Familiarity with a vernacular language other than English is desirable.

Travel and study abroad are highly desirable for students electing this major. They are encouraged to participate in British Studies at Oxford, European Studies, or other established programs.