Adoration of the Magi

Bachelor of Arts

Interdisciplinary Studies - Medieval and Renaissance Studies

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Explore Vibrant Civilizations that Continue to Transform Our Own

Gain broad multidisciplinary training in the cultures of Europe, from late antiquity through the early modern period, in the bachelor’s in Medieval and Renaissance Studies program at the University at Albany.

Learn about vibrant civilizations which strove to promote their particular identity through now-iconic literary, visual, historical, musical, theological and philosophical productions. These pivotal centuries resulted in creative output and discoveries continue to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin   |   Course Catalog   |   MAP: Major Planning   |  Department Contact Dr. Ineke Murakami

Program of Study

Collaborate with faculty and engaged peers to analyze the roots of the present in the past. Add your research and ideas to discussions about the impact of gender, race, sexuality, disability, socioeconomic and religious difference on our respective fields—both within the unique cultural moment of their formation and as forces that continue to shape current knowledge of the past.

You will partake in additional coursework in art history, history, literature and cultures, philosophy and global perspectives, in addition to elective studies approved that will tailor your experience to your professional goals. 

Majors should acquire at least an elementary reading ability in one modern Western language other than English. Latin is not required, but is strongly recommended.

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Studies requires a minimum of 36 credits.

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    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

    Literatures and Cultures Courses

    (3 credits) Choose from:

    • British Literary Traditions I     
    • Studies in Chaucer   
    • Study of an Author or Authors before the Mid-18th Century
    • Studies in Shakespeare 
    • Shakespeare and the Poetics of Revenge    
    • Critical Approaches to Gender and Sexuality in Literature (approval required)
    • Women Writers (approval required)
    • Topics in British Literature and Culture (approval required)   
    • Independent Study and Research in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (approval required)   
    • French Literature (approval required)
    • Life and Letters (approval required; taught in French)
    • Italian Civilization: From the Etruscans to Galileo      
    • Women, Men, Love, and Politics of the Italian Renaissance
    • Hispanic Literature through the Golden Age
    • Cervantes


    Philosophy courses

    (3 credits) Choose from:

    • History of Medieval Philosophy
    • Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Philosophy


    Global Perspectives courses

    (3 credits) Choose from:

    • Change in Medieval China
    • The Silk Road

     

    Electives

    (12 credits)

    Content

    Applied Learning

    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.

    Honors Program

    Create an individualized honors project in close consultation with your faculty mentor. You will design, research, and write a substantial, original honors project in your senior year. You will then have the opportunity to share your research in at least two public venues.

    Content

    Career Outcomes

    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

     

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    What Makes The University at Albany Great

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    Living-Learning Communities

    Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

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    Study Abroad

    Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

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    Undergraduate Research

    Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

    Explore Minors

    Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

    A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

    Full List of Minors
    • Acting
    • Africana Studies
    • Anthropology
    • Art
    • Art History
    • Atmospheric Science
    • Bioethics
    • Biology
    • Broadcast Meteorology
    • Business
    • Chemistry
    • Chinese Studies
    • Cognitive Science
    • Communication
    • Computer Science
    • Creative Writing
    • Criminal Justice Studies
    • Documentary Studies
    • Economics
    • Educational Studies
    • Electronics
    • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
    • English
    • Film Studies
    • Financial Market Regulation
    • Forensic Science
    • French
    • Geographic Information Science
    • Geography
    • Globalization Studies
    • Hebrew
    • History
    • Informatics
    • International Studies
    • Italian
    • Japanese Studies
    • Journalism
    • Judaic Studies
    • Korean Studies
    • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
    • Law and Philosophy
    • Leadership
    • Legal Studies
    • LGBTQ Studies
    • Library and Information Science
    • Linguistics
    • Mathematics
    • Medical Anthropology
    • Medieval and Renaissance Studies
    • Music
    • Musical Theatre
    • Neuroscience
    • Organizational Studies
    • Philosophy
    • Physics
    • Political Science
    • Portuguese
    • Pre-Education
    • Psychology
    • Public Health
    • Public Policy
    • Religious Studies
    • Russian
    • Russian and Eastern European Studies
    • Social Welfare Studies
    • Sociology
    • Spanish
    • Statistics
    • Sustainability
    • Theatre
    • Theatrical Design/Technology
    • Urban Studies and Planning
    • U.S. Latino Studies
    • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
    Program Statement

    Gain broad multidisciplinary training in the cultures of Europe, from late antiquity through the early modern period, in the bachelor’s in Medieval and Renaissance Studies program at the University at Albany.

    Learn about vibrant civilizations which strove to promote their particular identity through now-iconic literary, visual, historical, musical, theological and philosophical productions. These pivotal centuries resulted in creative output and discoveries continue to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.