Medieval studies is an interdisciplinary major and minor in the humanities division, administered by the medieval studies faculty and the chair of the humanities division. The field of medieval studies includes primarily European literature and culture from roughly 500 to 1500 and provides an opportunity at the undergraduate level for students to think synthetically across disciplines. To contextualize the medieval period in the "West," the medieval studies curriculum encompasses topics in English, art history, history, French, math, philosophy, theatre, music, anthropology, German, and areas such as gender and religion with historical roots in ancient and classical periods and Byzantine cultures. Coursework in medieval studies enhances students' understanding of artistic and material relics of the Middle Ages such as manuscripts, cookery books, Gothic cathedrals, Crusader castles, and picturesque towns cramped within ancient walls. The period also saw many of the foundational choices that have, for good and ill, made the world what it is today. Many current challenges in the fields of “Western” law, human rights, attitudes toward power, authority, gender relations, and sexual mores derive from the ways in which these were viewed a millennium ago. Objectives Students explore implications and intersections of products of the medieval world across disciplinary, chronological, and geographical barriers. The medieval studies major prepares students for graduate study in many academic fields as well as internship and career opportunities from museum curating to education, law, and data analysis. In the core courses for the medieval studies major, students develop: • Familiarity with diverse methodologies and critical paradigms to analyze, interpret, and synthesize various types of evidence for the medieval period • Reading, writing skills, and critical thinking skills • Skills for reading medieval primary texts in their original language • Analytical skills in art history, history, and literature while studying how the past, including language, is not a fixed entity • Familiarity with range of medieval culture, language, and thought sufficiently broad to allow meaningful exploration of the human experience in the Middle Ages • Insight into the construction of belief, culture, and knowledge in the Middle Ages as reflective of personal and social contexts Study Abroad In light of today's increasingly interdependent world, the UMM medieval studies faculty fully endorses study abroad in combination with a Medieval Studies major or minor, as the most effective means by which to: • Improve language abilities • Gain firsthand access to medieval artifacts • Broaden academic horizons • Globalize one's world view of the medieval past’s role in the present • Expand career opportunities • Advance cross-cultural and problem-solving skills • Gain confidence in oneself personally and professionally Students interested in a foreign study experience may complete English 3163 in York, England, in May term. Other study abroad programs may be considered toward this degree program in consultation with the medieval studies faculty.

Students must complete a significant amount of coursework in medieval studies at UMM, but are also strongly encouraged to study abroad or on other campuses. In order to count study abroad toward the minor, all students must procure formal approval of coursework from the medieval studies steering committee prior to departure. Medieval studies is by nature interdisciplinary. Students are responsible for developing a coherent program from the elective choices available. Work with a medieval studies faculty member to see how a careful selection of your General Education courses can enhance your knowledge of the field. The medieval studies steering committee strongly recommends at least one year of study in another world language in addition to Latin. No grades below C- may count toward the medieval studies minor. Courses may not be taken S-N unless offered S-N only. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the minor to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced.