Interested students may pursue a minor in Medieval and Renaissance studies or a major in Renaissance studies under the auspices of the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities (IPH). The major offers students the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the early modern world — the seedbed of modern Western civilization — through the integrated study of Renaissance literature, history, philosophy, art history and music. (A full description of the requirements for completing the Renaissance studies track in the IPH may be found in the general listing for the IPH.)
Courses are drawn from a wide range of departments, allowing students to develop their own course of study, select areas of concentration that are of particular personal interest, and work closely with faculty from different areas. Students study the themes and social issues of the period through art, history, literature and popular culture. Topics examined include the rise of urban life, the flowering of vernacular languages and new literary genres, the growing emphasis on education, the reconception of pictorial representation and architectural space, the expression and subversion of power in politics and culture, and the transformation of religious doctrines and institutions.
Steering Committee
William E. Wallace
Barbara Murphy Bryant Distinguished Professor of Art History
PhD, Columbia University
(Art History and Archaeology)
Gerhild Scholz Williams
Barbara Schaps Thomas and David M. Thomas Professor in the Humanities
PhD, University of Washington
(German)
Steven Zwicker
Stanley Elkin Professor in the Humanities
PhD, Brown University
(English)
Faculty
Daniel E. Bornstein
Stella K. Darrow Professor of Catholic Studies
PhD, University of Chicago
(History and Religious Studies)
Nina Cox Davis
Associate Professor in Spanish
PhD, Johns Hopkins University
(Romance Languages)
Robert Henke
Professor of Drama and Comparative Literature
PhD, University of California, Berkeley
(Performing Arts)
Christine Johnson
Associate Professor of History
PhD, Johns Hopkins University
(Early Modern Germany; Renaissance culture; European expansion)
Mark Pegg
Professor
PhD, Princeton University
(History)
Dolores Pesce
Avis Blewett Professor of Music
PhD, University of Maryland
(Music)
Michael Sherberg
Professor of Italian
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
(Romance Languages and Literatures)
Students seeking a major concentration in Medieval or Renaissance Studies are advised to pursue it under the aegis of either the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities or one of the other departments or programs in the humanities. Students should achieve foreign language competency in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Latin, Arabic or Greek, and they are strongly urged to pursue their studies across several departments and programs.
The Minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Total units required: 18
Students pursuing the minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies must complete two years of college-level language study in Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, German, Arabic or Greek, and they are encouraged to continue their foreign-language study further. Students are expected to take six additional courses, three of which should come from the following list:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| Art-Arch 113 | History of Western Art, Architecture & Design | 3 |
| History 101C | Western Civilization | 3 |
| IPH 201C | Classical to Renaissance Literature: Text and Traditions | 3 |
| IPH 203C | Early Political Thought: Text and Traditions | 3 |
| IPH 209 | Scriptures and Cultural Traditions: Text & Traditions | 3 |
Students interested in pursuing the minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies should contact the offices of the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities.
Additional Information
Students must also take three courses in medieval or renaissance studies from at least two different departments or programs. Students will select these three courses in consultation with their minor advisor.
Please visit the list of courses offered by the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities.