I'm interested in the medieval era and thinking about majoring in medieval studies in college. Does anyone know which US colleges have strong programs or what kind of courses I might be taking?
Sure, good question! A couple of U.S. institutions stand out for their strength in Medieval Studies programs, with distinct approaches:
1. University of Notre Dame: Their program allows flexibility for different focus areas (e.g., literature, historical studies, philosophy, and theology) while offering a facility in Latin and research language skills. The Medieval Institute at Notre Dame is one of the top-ranking centers in North America for the advanced study of Medieval civilization.
2. Yale University: With an interdisciplinary focus, the program draws on resources from various departments, including Art History, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, French, German, History, Italian, Music, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Philosophy, Spanish and Portuguese, and Religious Studies.
As for what kind of courses you'd be taking, it varies depending on the specific program. In general, though, you can expect to take courses covering various aspects of the medieval world, including (but not limited to) art, literature, philosophy, religion, and history from roughly the 5th to the 15th century AD. For example, in Notre Dame, you'd study Medieval Latin, Paleography, Codicology, and Philology, along with a wide range of Medieval topics.
Remember, one of the most beneficial parts of studying Medieval Studies at the undergrad level is the flexibility to dive into specific topics you find most appealing- whether Viking invasions fascinate you or the religious symbolism behind Gothic architecture sparks your curiosity.
Just keep in mind, that the major in Medieval Studies is not as common as some might think, making these offerings a unique find. More institutions offer related courses or medieval perspectives within a broader Humanities or History program. So even if the exact major you're looking for isn't available, you can still find ways to immerse yourself in the field.
I hope that gives you an idea of what to expect in a medieval studies program and which universities offer strong programs in this area.
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