Undergraduate Major and Minor in Medieval and Byzantine Studies
The Center for Medieval and Byzantine Studies offers a revised undergraduate major and minor in Medieval and Byzantine Studies as of Fall of 2009. Both programs introduce students to the various fields of the discipline and their methodologies, while MBS majors are also provided advanced training in one specific area of specialization. In addition to exploring the historical and cultural developments within the traditional boundaries of Medieval Europe from ca. A.D. 300 to 1500, students have opportunities to study
New curriculum (effective Fall 2009):
Undergraduate Major in Medieval and Byzantine Studies
Requirements:
(a) 13 courses = total of 36 credits [eleven 3-credit courses, one 1-credit course (MDST 451), and one 2-credit course (MDST 452); for distribution requirements see below]
(b) Senior thesis—a 25-30-page scholarly essay on a topic in the student’s chosen field of specialization in Medieval and Byzantine Studies. Evaluated by the student’s area advisor and a second reader. To be submitted in the spring semester of senior year as part of MDST 452 (see below).
Specialization:
Students are required to focus on one of the following three major fields of Medieval and Byzantine Studies: (a) History and Social Structures; (b) Thought and Worship; and (c) Cultural and Artistic Expressions. The area of specialization should be declared by the end of the sophomore year. In addition to the two courses in the field as specified by the course distribution requirements (see Specialized Courses below), at least two of the four Approved Electives (see below) should be used towards the chosen specialization under the guidance of the area advisor, bringing the minimum number of courses devoted to the specialization to four. A senior thesis on a topic previously approved by the area advisor should be submitted by the end of the senior year.
Please note that specializations need not correspond to traditional disciplines (e.g., theology, philosophy, English, art history, etc.). Interdisciplinary and comparative approaches are also encouraged as long as they remain within the three major categories (a-c above). Students are required to work closely with their area advisors in designing their specializations, and electives used towards building a specialization, as well as the thesis topic, must be approved by the area advisor.
Advising:
Each student majoring in MBS is assigned two advisors. In the first two years the associate director serves as the advisor. By the end of the sophomore year, an area advisor is appointed in the student’s chosen field of specialization. Ideally the area advisor directs the senior thesis.
(a) Course distribution requirements:
I. REQUIRED COURSES:
1 gateway course (3 credits):
MDST 201: Medieval Pathways (3 credits)—An interdisciplinary three-credit course consisting of three modules representing three different modes of inquiry, or pathways to the Middle Ages. Co-taught by three faculty members according to a joint syllabus planned around a unifying theme. Offered every spring.
Note: Students of the University Honors Program are allowed to substitute HSHU 102: From Charlemagne to Chaucer for MDST 201 as a gateway course with the Director’s approval.
2 capstone senior seminars (1+2 credits):
MDST 451: Senior Tutorial (1 credit)—Directed reading course in the field of the senior thesis project. Serves as a preparation towards the senior thesis; directed by the thesis advisor. By the end of the semester a thesis proposal, a detailed outline, and a related annotated bibliography should be submitted, together with book reviews and other minor written assignments as required by the instructor. Offered every fall.
MDST 452: Senior Thesis (2 credits)—Directed thesis writing under the guidance of a previously appointed thesis advisor. By the end of the semester a senior thesis of 25-30 pages should be submitted. Offered every spring.
II. SPECIALIZED COURSES:
Courses in this category are selected each semester from a master list of approved courses relevant for MBS. The same list also serves as a list of Approved Electives (see below).
(A) HISTORY AND SOCIAL STRUCTURES:
2 courses (6 credits) in any aspect of western or non-western medieval history (e.g., social, political, institutional, economic, legal, cultural, gender studies, etc.).
(B) THOUGHT AND WORSHIP:
2 courses (6 credits) in medieval religions, theology, philosophy, or liturgy (also including non-Christian traditions).
(C) CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS:
2 courses (6 credits) in medieval literatures, languages, art, architecture, music, or material culture.
III. APPROVED ELECTIVES:
4 courses (12 credits) from the three categories of Specialized Courses. At least two of the four courses should be in the student’s area of specialization. May include relevant language courses (Latin, Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Coptic, Old English, Old Norse, and other medieval vernaculars) above and beyond the School’s foreign language distribution requirement.
Note on LANGUAGES
Language studies in general fall outside the major, in the School’s foreign language distribution requirement (satisfied by two semesters at the intermediate level, typically LANGUAGE 103-104). The language requirement should preferably be fulfilled by Latin or Greek, but students may with permission substitute other languages according to their chosen focus of studies and area of specialization. (Latin is strongly encouraged for students who wish to pursue an emphasis on medieval Europe and the Western tradition; Greek is recommended for those who are primarily interested in
Undergraduate Minor in Medieval and Byzantine Studies
Requirements: 6 courses (18 credits) in the area of Medieval and Byzantines Studies. Courses subject to approval by the Director/Advisor.
Course distribution requirements:
1 gateway course (3 credits)—MDST 201: Medieval Pathways. (For a description see above.) Students of the University Honors Program are allowed to substitute HSHU 102: From Charlemagne to Chaucer for MDST 201 as a gateway course with the Director’s approval.
II. Specialized Courses:
A total of 3 courses (9 credits) in the following distribution:
(A) HISTORY AND SOCIAL STRUCTURES:
1 course (3 credits) in any aspect of western or non-western medieval history (e.g., social, political, institutional, economic, legal, cultural, gender studies, etc.).
(B) THOUGHT AND WORSHIP:
1 course (3 credits) in medieval religions, theology, philosophy, or liturgy (also including non-Christian traditions).
(C) CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS:
1 course (3 credits) in medieval literatures, languages, art, architecture, music, or material culture.
III. APPROVED ELECTIVES:
2 courses (6 credits) from the list of Specialized Courses. May include relevant language courses (Latin, Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Coptic, Old English, Old Norse, and other medieval vernaculars) above and beyond the School’s foreign language distribution requirement if approved by the advisor.
Old curriculum:
Undergraduate Major (Concentration) in Medieval and Byzantine Studies
1. The first two classes of the University Honors Program in The Christian Tradition, i.e. HSHU 101, Jesus to Muhammad: The Early Christians in the Mediterranean World, and HSHU 102, Charlemagne to Chaucer: Christian Life in the Middle Ages. Majors in MBS must also meet the requirements for the University Honors Program.
2. A subconcentration in one area of Medieval Studies, i.e. history, literature, philosophy, art and architecture, or any other area approved by the director, for which students will take five approved courses.
3. A set of five other courses relevant to Medieval Studies and selected to enhance the interdisciplinary aspect of this concentration.
4. Two senior seminars, MDST 451 and 452, which in the fall will include participation in MDST 601, Introduction to Medieval Studies; a final examination; and preliminary work toward a senior thesis (i.e., an annotated bibliography and a 10 - 15 page preliminary draft).
Students in this interdisciplinary program should observe the following guidelines for the fulfillment of the undergraduate distribution requirements of the School of Arts and Sciences.
a. The language requirement must be fulfilled in Latin. Substitution of Greek for Latin will allow a Byzantine focus for this concentration.
b. The humanities requirement must be partially fulfilled by taking HSHU 101 and 102.
c. The second set of philosophy course requirements (Area II) may be fulfilled by an undergraduate course in the history of medieval philosophy, PHIL 354.
d. For the religion requirement, students should be advised to include some classes relevant to medieval theology or religion.
Undergraduate Minor (Subconcentration) in Medieval and Byzantine Studies
Six courses in medieval or Byzantine studies, which may include HSHU 101 and HSHU 102. At least two, but no more than three, of these courses may be in the same department. Students are encouraged to fulfill language requirement in Latin or another pertinent language.