Medieval & Early Modern Studies

Introduction

Medieval & Early Modern Studies offers a multidisciplinary approach to European cultures and civilizations from late Antiquity (c. 500) to the beginnings of the Enlightenment (c. 1750). The major incorporates materials and methodologies from the fields of literary studies, history, art history, music, philosophy, and religious studies. Students in the program have considerable flexibility in the design and focus of their courses of study.  For more information about the MEMS major please contact Prof. Blake Wilson.

Introductory courses appropriate for prospective majors

ARTH 101, Introduction to Art History (Ancient through Medieval) 
ARTH 102, Introduction to Art History (Renaissance through Contemporary)
ENGL 101, Texts and Contexts (Only sections with a Medieval, Renaissance, or Early Modern focus)
HIST 105, Medieval Europe 
HIST 106, Modern Europe to 1815 
HIST 121, Middle East to 1750 
HIST 222, Feudal Europe 
HIST 223, Renaissance Europe
HIST 243, English/British History I [55 BC to 1688] 
MUSC 101, History of Music (Medieval through 1750) 
RELG 212, History of Christianity: From Margin to Center 
RELG 259, Islam 
JDST/RELG 219, History of the Jews  

Note: In certain cases MEMS faculty frequently waive distribution requirements of a 200- or 300-level MEMS course for a MEMS major or prospective major. Inquire directly of the relevant faculty member.   

Getting Involved

Students may discover their interest in medieval and early modern cultures prior to their arrival at Dickinson, or their interest may be kindled in one of the many first-year seminars that each year engage MEMS-related material. These seminars are often taught by one of the 18 fulltime faculty who currently participate in the MEMS program, and they are easily contacted through the faculty listing on the program website.

Students considering the major should know that they enjoy considerable flexibility in shaping this multidisciplinary major (see “Curriculum and Courses”), and past MEMS majors have discovered MEMS to be especially compatible with undertaking a second major (the majority have been double majors), and with the ready fulfillment of distribution requirements.

For course descriptions and requirements for the major and our recently created minors (one medieval, the other early modern), please refer to the Academic Bulletin: Medieval and Early Modern Studies.