2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/interdisciplinary-studies-balas/medieval-studies/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration

The Program in Medieval Studies sponsors this concentration.

This concentration immerses students in the societies of the medieval world (ca. 500- ca. 1500 CE), providing them with a deep understanding of the periods and movements, institutions, material culture, ideas, beliefs, and values that comprise the medieval globe, with particular attention to premodern Afro-Eurasia as an integrated space of encounter. Coursework spans geographic regions and disciplines to emphasize to the breadth of medieval cultures as well as the diversity of methods and perspectives for their study.

The concentration includes a minimum of 45 hours, divided into (I) an introductory course in global medieval literatures and cultures; (II) geographical distribution coursework; (III) advanced medieval coursework selected by the student in consultation with a Medieval Studies faculty advisor; and (IV) a capstone experience involving an intensive writing and research project. Because Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study, students are urged to consult with a Medieval Studies faculty advisor to ensure that they take a range of courses providing some exposure to the fields of History and Anthropology; Literature; the Arts; and Philosophy or Religion. Although study of medieval languages is not a requirement, students who intend to pursue graduate study should complete at least two courses in an appropriate language; up to twelve hours of appropriate language study can be applied to the Additional Medieval Studies Coursework.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your advisor.

Substitution for specific courses listed below will be approved by the concentration advisor only in exceptional cases.

Departmental distinction: To be eligible for graduation with distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.5, completion of HUM 498 with a grade of A, and completion of a semester paper in HUM 498 that is judged to be deserving of "distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.

High distinction: To be eligible for graduation with high distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.7, and must have completed HUM 492 (instead of HUM 498) with a grade of A and a thesis in HUM 492 that is judged to be deserving of "high distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.

Medieval Studies Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.  Minimum hours of required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 45 or 49 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The University and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by ENGL 202/MDVL 201/CWL 253 and any other course approved as a Humanities & the Arts course | | | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | fulfilled by ENGL 202/MDVL 201/CWL 253 | | | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-20 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Orientation and Professional Development | | | | LAS 101 | Design Your First Year Experience | 1 | | OR | | | | LAS 100 & LAS 101 | Success in LAS for International Students and Design Your First Year Experience | 3 | | OR | | | | LAS 102 | Transfer Advantage | 1 | | Total Hours | | 1 or 3 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Major Core Requirements and Electives | | | | Introduction to Medieval Studies | | 3 | | ENGL 202/MDVL 201/CWL 253 | Medieval Literature and Culture | | | Geographical Distribution Coursework | | | | (A student may substitute up to 6 hours in geographical distribution coursework with courses on the medieval civilizations of Oceania or the Americas, including ANTH 278. However, at least one course must still be taken from each of the three regional areas.) | | | | Select two of the following (Medieval Europe): | | 6 | | ARTH 111/MDVL 222 | Ancient to Medieval Art | | | ARTH/MDVL 222 | Medieval Art | | | ARTH/MDVL 231 | Northern Renaissance Art | | | HIST 141 | Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe | | | HIST/MDVL 245 | Wives, Workers and Witches in Pre-Modern Europe | | | HIST/MDVL 247 | Medieval Europe | | | HIST/MDVL 255 | British Isles to 1688 | | | HIST/MDVL 345 | Medieval Civilization | | | HIST 445/MDVL 444 | Medieval England | | | ITAL/MDVL/CWL 240 | Italy Middle Ages & Renaiss | | | SCAN/MDVL/REL/CWL 251 | Viking Mythology | | | SCAN/MDVL/CWL 252 | Viking Sagas in Translation | | | MDVL/ARCH 412 | Medieval Architecture | | | Select two of the following (Classical and Medieval East Asia): | | 6 | | EALC 240 | Chinese Civilization | | | EALC/CWL 275 | Masterpieces of East Asian Lit | | | EALC 305/CWL 311 | Japan Lit in Translation I | | | EALC/ARTH 320 | Sacred Sites in Japan | | | HIST/EALC 220 | Traditional China | | | HIST 425/EALC 476/CWL 478 | Classical Chinese Thought | | | REL/EALC 287 | Introduction to Buddhism | | | Select two of the following (Medieval Central Asia, South Asia, the Mediterranean region, or Africa): | | 6 | | CWL/REL/SAME 208 | Cultures & Literatures of South Asia | | | HIST/AFST 111 | History of Africa to 1800 | | | HIST/ANTH 130 | History of South Asia | | | HIST 135 | History of Islamic Middle East | | | HIST 432/REL 442/JS 442 | History of Early Judaism | | | HIST 443/REL 434 | Byzantine Empire AD 284-717 | | | LA 222/ARTH 219 | Islamic Gardens & Architecture | | | REL 106 | Archaeology and the Bible | | | REL/SAME 214 | Introduction to Islam | | | REL/SAME/CWL 223 | The Qur'an (Koran) | | | REL/SAME 260 | Mystics and Saints in Islam | | | REL/CWL 283 | Jewish Sacred Literature | | | REL/JS/MDVL 344 | Jewish Intellectual History: Encounters with Islam and Christianity | | | Additional Medieval Studies Coursework | | | | Medieval-related coursework from participating departments selected in consultation with the concentration advisor. At least 12 hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Up to 12 hours of appropriate language study can be applied to meet this requirement with approval of a Medieval Studies faculty advisor. | | 21 | | Capstone Experience | | | | A capstone experience (normally in the student’s senior year) involving intensive interdisciplinary research and writing on a medieval topic. Any 400-level MDVL course (or medieval-related course not cross-listed with MDVL, with the approval of a Medieval Studies faculty advisor) can be designated as a capstone experience with approval of the instructor. For the course to qualify as a capstone experience, the student must undertake a substantial research project that supplements the standard course requirements, in the form either of an additional project or of a longer and more research-intensive version of an existing course project. The project must involve both primary and secondary research using advanced disciplinary methodologies and resources. | | 3 | | (A student may also petition to satisfy the capstone experience by enrolling in MDVL 500, Seminar in Medieval Studies) | | | | Total Hours | | 45 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration

After completing the Medieval Studies Concentration, students will have:

1. A broad and deep knowledge of the world's medieval cultures (ca. 500 - ca. 1500 CE).
2. An understanding of the periods and movements, institutions, material culture, ideas, beliefs, and values of the diverse cultures that comprise the medieval globe.
3. A capstone experience involving original research in a medieval topic.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Medieval Studies Concentration

Medieval Studies

Medieval Studies Faculty\ Director: Professor Carol Symes (symes@illinois.edu)

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences