Interdisciplinary Studies: Medieval Studies, BALAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration
The Program in Medieval Studies sponsors this concentration.
This concentration 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 geographic 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 concentration includes a minimum of 45 hours, divided into (I) an introductory course in global medieval literatures and cultures; (II) geographical distribution coursework as specified below; (III) advanced medieval coursework selected by the student in consultation with a Medieval Studies faculty advisor; and (IV) a capstone experience involving an intensive writing and research project. Because Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study, students are urged to consult with a Medieval Studies faculty advisor to ensure that they take a diverse range of courses providing some exposure to the fields of History and Anthropology; Literature; the Arts; and Philosophy or Religion. Although study of medieval languages is not a requirement, students who intend to pursue graduate study in Medieval Studies should complete at least two courses in an appropriate language; up to twelve hours of appropriate language study can be applied to the Additional Medieval Studies Coursework.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your advisor.
Substitution for specific courses listed below will be approved by the concentration advisor only in exceptional cases.
Departmental distinction: To be eligible for graduation with distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.5, completion of HUM 498 with a grade of A, and completion of a semester paper in HUM 498 that is judged to be deserving of "distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.
High distinction: To be eligible for graduation with high distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.7, and must have completed HUM 492 (instead of HUM 498) with a grade of A and a thesis in HUM 492 that is judged to be deserving of "high distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.
Medieval Studies Concentration Requirements
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 45-51 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Medieval Studies 1 | ||
| ENGL 202/MDVL 201 | Medieval Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Geographical Distribution Coursework 2 | ||
| Select two of the following (Medieval Europe): | 6 | |
| Ancient to Medieval Art | ||
| Medieval Art | ||
| Northern Renaissance Art | ||
| Italy Middle Ages & Renaiss | ||
| Wives, Workers and Witches in Pre-Modern Europe | ||
| Medieval Europe | ||
| Viking Mythology | ||
| Viking Sagas in Translation | ||
| British Isles to 1688 | ||
| Medieval Architecture | ||
| Select two of the following (Classical and medieval East Asia): | 6 | |
| Traditional China | ||
| Premodern Japanese History | ||
| Chinese Civilization | ||
| Masterpieces of East Asian Lit | ||
| Introduction to Buddhism | ||
| Select two of the following (Medieval Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East): | 6 | |
| History of South Asia | ||
| History of Islamic Middle East | ||
LA 218 | ||
| Islamic Gardens & Architecture | ||
| Introduction to Islam | ||
| The Qur'an (Koran) | ||
| Mystics and Saints in Islam | ||
| Jewish Sacred Literature | ||
| Cultures & Literatures of South Asia | ||
| Additional Medieval Studies Coursework | ||
| Medieval-related coursework from participating departments selected in consultation with the concentration advisor. At least 12 hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. A list of courses in Medieval Studies is maintained on the Medieval Studies Program website. Up to 12 hours of appropriate language study can be applied to meet this requirement with approval of a Medieval Studies faculty advisor. 3 | 21 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| A capstone experience (normally in the student’s senior year) involving intensive interdisciplinary research and writing on a medieval topic. Any 400-level MDVL course (or medieval-related course not cross-listed with MDVL, with the approval of a Medieval Studies faculty advisor) can be designated as a capstone experience with approval of the instructor. For the course to qualify as a capstone experience, the student must undertake a substantial research project that supplements the standard course requirements, in the form either of an additional project or of a longer and more research-intensive version of an existing course project. The project must involve both primary and secondary research using advanced disciplinary methodologies and resources. 4 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Footnotes
- 1
A student may substitute the “Medieval World” section of HIST 100, by petition to a Medieval Studies faculty advisor. Only the section of HIST 100 devoted to the Middle Ages may be substituted.
- 2
A student may substitute up to 6 hours in geographical distribution coursework with courses on the medieval civilizations of the Americas: ANTH 277, ANTH 278, or both. However, at least one course must still be taken from each of the three regional areas.
- 3
List of courses to fulfill Additional Medieval Studies Coursework.
- 4
A student may also petition to satisfy the capstone experience by enrolling in MDVL 500, Seminar in Medieval Studies . Enrollment requires approval of the instructor and Director of the Program in Medieval Studies.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free elective course | 1 | Medieval Studies coursework | 3 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Language Other than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition 1 | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ENGL 202 (or MDVL 201) | 3 | Medieval Europe distribution course | 3 |
| Medieval Studies coursework | 3 | Medieval Studies coursework | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Medieval Europe distribution course | 3 | Classical and Medieval East Asia distribution course | 3 |
| Medieval Studies coursework | 3 | Medieval Studies 300-400 level course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Medieval Studies 300-400 level course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Classical and Medieval East Asia distribution course | 3 | Medieval Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East distribution course | 3 |
| Medieval Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East distribution course | 3 | Capstone Experience | 3 |
| Medieval Studies 300-400 level course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Medieval Studies 300-400 level course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 2 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration
1. Acquire broad and deep knowledge of Medieval (ca.500- ca. 1500 CE) cultures across the world.
2. Acquire an understanding of periods and movements, institutions, material culture, ideas, beliefs, and values of the diverse cultures that comprise the medieval globe.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration
Medieval Studies website
Medieval Studies faculty
Medieval Studies email
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences