Medieval Studies

Overview

From gargoyles to the idea of the modern university, the Middle Ages have left us a legacy both powerful and problematic. Whether we study the works of Anselm and Aquinas, who devised rational proofs of God's existence, or of Dante and Chaucer, who wrote poetry reflecting the societies in which they lived, or of Christine de Pisan, who recast history from a woman's perspective, we find medieval thinkers still speaking meaningfully to us about the perennial issues of human existence.

An interdisciplinary major in Medieval Studies gives students a broad acquaintance with medieval European culture, spanning the more than ten centuries between the fall of the Roman Empire and the flowering of the Renaissance. Combining art, history, language, literature, philosophy, and religion, it provides a useful grounding in the humanities for students interested in virtually any career, from law to medicine, from teaching to preaching, from journalism to archaeology.

Every student majoring in Medieval Studies takes three required courses and a medieval language course, then designs the rest of the major with electives. Medieval Studies majors often have a second major in a specific field such as art, biology, English, history, Latin, music, philosophy, or religion.

General Education Credit

The Medieval Studies courses that fulfill General Education requirements are listed in the Class and Lab Schedule.

Requirements for the Major

Required Courses: Medieval Studies 121 (Introduction to the Middle Ages) or Great Conversation 116 (The Medieval Synthesis); History 212 (Medieval History) or a comparable course in medieval history; English 221 (Literature in English to 1650) or 231 (The Middle Ages) or a comparable course in medieval literature.

Language Course: one course in a medieval language (Medieval Latin [= Latin 235] or Independent Study in Old French, Old English, Middle High German, or Old Norse) or one course at the fourth-semester level or higher in Latin, French, German, or Norwegian. A medieval language course may count toward the major only if the student has already completed three semesters (or the equivalent) of a corresponding modern language or Latin.

Elective Courses: four or more electives, one of which must be a Level III seminar or an independent research.

Courses

121 An Introduction to the Middle Ages: Anyone interested in the Middle Ages--and anyone contemplating a major in Medieval Studies--will want to take this introductory course, covering European culture from the late Roman Empire to the fifteenth century. As they read selections from authors such as Augustine, Hildegard of Bingen, Aquinas, Marie de France, Dante, Boccaccio, and Chaucer and listen to guest speakers from a variety of disciplines, students will learn a great deal about medieval epic, church history, visual art, courtly love, and the emergence of urban culture in the high Middle Ages.

Electives

Art 150, 263, English 391, 399, French 273, 373, German 390, History 105, 190, 234 Interdisciplinary 250, Music 345, Norwegian 399, Paracollege 232, Philosophy 235, 374, Religion 231, 232, 241, 246, 392, 396, Speech-Theater 270, Independent Study, Independent Research. Interim courses and other courses offered occasionally or only once (including courses at Carleton College) may also be used as electives.

Interim

The following courses, taught in January 1996 were approved as electives for a Medieval Studies major:

Interdisciplinary 250: Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Religion 259: Religion and Culture in Rome (off-campus)

Faculty

The faculty of interdisciplinary programs are drawn from a variety of departments. See faculty listing under department for individual degree information.

Anne H. Groton (Director)
Associate Professor of Classics, 1981-

David Booth
Associate Professor of Religion, 1985-

J. Laurel Carrington
Associate Professor of History, 1988-

Karen Cherewatuk
Associate Professor of English, 1986-

John T. Day
Associate Professor of English, 1979-

Vicki Lynn Harper
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, 1979-

Gerald Hoekstra
Professor of Music, 1981-

Joel Kaminsky
Assistant Professor of Religion, 1994-

Ronald J. Lee
Professor of English, 1961-62, 1969-

Michel Le Gall
Associate Professor of History, 1985-

Eric Lund
Professor of Religion, 1979-

Bruce D. Marshall
Associate Professor of Religion, 1985-

James M. May
Professor of Classics, 1977-

Robert L. Nichols
Professor of History, 1972-

Steven Weiss
Assistant Professor of Speech-Theater, 1996-

Eric D. Weitz
Associate Professor of History, 1985-

Charles A. Wilson
Professor of Religion, 1973-77, 1981-