Interdisciplinary Studies - Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Core Courses

(9 credits) Choose from:

• Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Studies I and II
• Monks, Monarchs, and Medieval Art
• Italian Renaissance Art and Architecture: 1450-1600
• Literature of the Middle Ages
• Literature of the Earlier Renaissance
• Literature of the Later Renaissance
• Early and Medieval Christianity
• History of the Early Middle Ages
• The High Middle Ages
• The Italian Renaissance, 1300-1530
• Renaissance and Reformation in 16th Century Europe
• The History of England I
• History of Medieval Philosophy

Art and Music Courses

(3 credits) Choose from:

• The Art of Medieval Knighthood
• Artistic Encounters in the Early Medieval World
• Gothic Art and Architecture
• Early Painting of the Netherlands
• Research Seminar in Art History (approval required)
• Music History I
• University Chamber Singers (approval required)

History courses

(3 credits) Choose from:

• Contemporary Quest for Arthur
• Topics in European History (approval required)
• The Byzantine Empire 300-1453

Take advantage of regular opportunities to meet visiting Medieval and Renaissance scholars. Recent events have involved discussion and hands-on learning about bookmaking and the art of the medieval manuscript; the First Crusade and Jewish martyrdom; myths about the Celtic Cross; Medieval Chinese political culture, and the way ordinary citizens asserted themselves politically in the early modern Republic of Venice.

Participate in department-hosted trips to nearby performance venues, museums, and special collections.

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. 

Combine your Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

A major in Medieval and Renaissance Studies prepares you for careers in industries including education, museum curation, libraries and archives, technical, corporate and marketing. 

You will be able to objectively analyze and assess text, events and images. In addition, you will learn how to contextualize the latest cultural and political developments, organize large amounts of information, and creatively tackle intellectual problems. Your presentations and group projects will hone your leadership and public speaking skills. 

Potential job titles include:

• K-12 educator
• Historian
• Museum educator
• Museum curatorial assistant
• Archivist