Participating Faculty

Barbara K. Altmann, Romance languages

Judith R. Baskin, Judaic studies

Martha J. Bayless, English

Louise M. Bishop, honors college

Cynthea J. Bogel, art history

James L. Boren, English

Mary-Lyon Dolezal, art history

James W. Earl, English

Warren Ginsberg, English

Andrew E. Goble, history

Lori Kruckenberg, music

Charles H. Lachman, art history

C. Anne Laskaya, English

Eric Mentzel, music

F. Regina Psaki, Romance languages

Erin Kathleen Rowe, history

Stephen J. Shoemaker, religious studies

Richard A. Sundt, art history

Cynthia M. Vakareliyska, linguistics

David Wacks, Romance languages

Lisa Wolverton, history

About the Discipline

Meedieval studies, an interdisciplinary undergraduate program, integrates various approaches to the Middle Ages by medievalists in several departments. Medieval studies provides an excellent general education or a solid base for graduate work in a more specialized area. Study abroad is strongly encouraged.

Medieval studies concentrates on the period from 300 to 1500, combining courses in art and architecture, history, language, literature, music, philosophy, and religion. A typical course of study includes diverse topics such as the Bible, the early Church, Byzantium, Islam, the Vikings, the Crusades, women in the Middle Ages, mysticism, romance, the Gothic cathedral, Chaucer, Dante, and medieval China and Japan. The program aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the medieval world-view in Europe and beyond, and the origins of the modern world.

Major Requirements

Medieval studies majors must complete twelve medieval courses in at least three departments with a grade of mid-C or better. At least 24 credits must be in upper-division work. Two years of Latin are recommended for those who want to do graduate work in medieval studies.

Minor Requirements

Students who want a minor in medieval studies must complete seven medieval courses in at least two departments.

Suggested Courses

Students should plan their programs as early as possible with the aid of a medieval studies faculty adviser. With the adviser’s consent, courses numbered 199, 399, 405, 407, 408, or 410 may be substituted for suggested courses. At least five of the courses must be taken at the University of Oregon. More information is available from the medieval studies office or from the Medieval Studies Program director.

Art History. History of Western Art II (ARH 205), Cultures of the Medieval West (ARH 331), Japanese Art II (ARH 395), Early Christian Art (ARH 430), Byzantine Art (ARH 431), Romanesque Sculpture (ARH 432), Gothic Sculpture (ARH 433), Text and Image: Medieval Manuscripts (ARH 435), Gothic Architecture I,II (ARH 438, 439), Islamic Art and Architecture (ARH 490)

Chinese. Issues in Medieval Chinese Literature (CHN 424)

English. The Bible and Literature (ENG 421); The Age of Beowulf (ENG 423); Medieval Romance (ENG 425); Chaucer (ENG 427); Old English I,II,III (ENG 428, 429, 430); Medieval and Tudor Drama (ENG 437)

History. Early Modern Women (HIST 310), Early Middle Ages in Europe (HIST 319), High Middle Ages in Europe (HIST 320), Late Middle Ages in Europe (HIST 321), The Age of Discoveries (HIST 327), Mediterranean World, Antiquity to 1453 (HIST 329)

Humanities. Introduction to Humanities II (HUM 102), Culture and Society in the Humanities: Magic and the Medieval Worldview (HUM 210)

Judaic Studies. Medieval and Early Modern ­Judaism (JDST 212)

Music. Survey of Music History (MUS 267)

Philosophy. History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval (PHIL 310)

Physical Education. Italian Long Sword (PEMA 214)

Religious Studies. Introduction to Islam (REL 233), History of Christianity (REL 321, 322), History of Eastern Christianity (REL 324), Medieval Islamic and Jewish Philosophy (REL 436), Medieval Japanese Buddhism (REL 444)

Romance Languages. Survey of Peninsular Spanish Literature (SPAN 316), French Survey: Medieval and Renaissance (FR 317), Italian Survey: Medieval and Renaissance (ITAL 317), Medieval Italian Culture (ITAL 441), Medieval and Renaissance Literature (ITAL 444)

Scandinavian. Emergence of Nordic Cultures and Society (SCAN 340)

Medieval Studies Courses (MDVL)