Undergraduate Announcement

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Director

D. Vance Smith

Executive Committee

Marina S. Brownlee, Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures, Comparative Literature

Daniel Heller-Roazen, Comparative Literature

William C. Jordan, History

Sarah Kay, French and Italian

Sara S. Poor, German

Gideon A. Rosen, Philosophy, ex officio

D. Vance Smith, English

Associated Faculty

Peter R. Brown, History

Mark R. Cohen, Near Eastern Studies

Michael A. Cook, Near Eastern Studies

Pietro Frassica, French and Italian

John F. Haldon, History, Hellenic Studies

Andras P. Hamori, Near Eastern Studies

Thomas F. Leisten, Art and Archaeology

Simone Marchesi, French and Italian

Janet M. Martin, Classics

Helmut Reimitz, History

Peter Schäfer, Religion

Ronald E. Surtz, Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures

Rob C. Wegman, Music

Nino Zchomelidse, Art and Archaeology

Sits with Committee

Caroline W. Bynum, Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study

Giles Constable, Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study

Colum P. Hourihane, Index of Christian Art

Donald C. Skemer, Firestone Library

Alan Stahl, Firestone Library

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The Program in Medieval Studies encourages the interdisciplinary study of the European Middle Ages: its art, literature (Latin and vernacular), music, religion, science, philosophy, politics, and economic and social structures. Supported by the vast resources for medieval studies at Princeton (including an outstanding medieval manuscript collection and the photographic archive known as the Index of Christian Art), the program sponsors three courses: an introductory course, an upper-level seminar, and a (noncredit) thesis writers’ colloquium for seniors. Approximately another 40 courses directly relevant to medieval studies are listed following this description.

During the freshman or sophomore year each student who wishes to enroll in the program should take MED 227 The World of the Middle Ages or discuss with the director what other kinds of preparation might be acceptable instead. At the time of the selection of a major in a department, a student wishing to obtain a certificate in medieval studies at graduation should also seek admission to the program from the director.

MED 227 (or some equivalent) is required, as is, in the senior year, the thesis writers’ colloquium. In addition, the student should take and pass four courses listed in the roster of courses following this description. (They should not all be from the same department.) It is also highly recommended that a student take MED 412 Topics in Medieval Studies, a seminar whose subject and faculty change yearly. The senior thesis and at least one junior paper must deal directly with the European Middle Ages. The student’s course of study must receive the prior approval of the departmental representative (in the major) and the director of the Program in Medieval Studies.

Most students, especially those interested in pursuing medieval studies at the graduate level, are urged to take Latin, including medieval Latin, or Greek. But many students will be interested in the vernacular traditions; in the absence of competency in Latin or Greek (or as a supplement to competency), students will need to demonstrate appropriate proficiency in another medieval language (for example, Old English) or in one of the major modern European languages to the 207 level: Russian, German, French, Spanish, Italian. In no case will a student be eligible for a certificate if he or she has failed to fulfill the language requirements as described here.

Separate from any other departmental requirements, this noncredit colloquium will regularly bring together all seniors in the program in order to discuss mutual problems of data, research strategies, organization, and writing. In consultation with the director of the colloquium, each student will choose a date to report to and discuss with the other members of the colloquium his or her work-in-progress.

MED 227 The World of the Middle Ages (also HUM 227)   Fall LA

An introduction to medieval Europe from late antiquity to 1400. The course focuses on themes such as collective mentalities and dominant social practices, and addresses major forms of cultural expression in various media. Two 90-minute lectures. D. V. Smith

MED 303 Dante’s Inferno (see ITA 303)

MED 304 Dante’s “Purgatorio” and “Paradiso” (see ITA 304)

MED 329 Sex and Gender in the Ancient World (see CLA 329)

MED 412 Topics in Medieval Studies   Spring

An intensive seminar devoted to a particular aspect of European medieval life and culture. Topics change yearly. One three-hour seminar. Staff

Art and Archaeology

204 Pagans and Christians: Urbanism, Architecture, and Art of Late Antiquity

205 Medieval Art in Europe

206 Byzantine Art and Architecture

230 Early Islamic Art and Architecture

312 The Arts of Medieval Europe

315 Medieval Architecture

318 Medieval Manuscript Illumination

319 Italian Trecento Art

430 Seminar. Medieval Art

Classics

Greek 240 Introduction to Postclassical Greek from the Late Antique to the Byzantine Era

Latin 232 Introduction to Medieval Latin

Comparative Literature

310 The Literature of Medieval Europe

English

301 The Old English Period

304 Medieval English Literature in Modern Versions

305 The Medieval Period

307 Chaucer

French and Italian

French

321 French Medieval Literature and Culture

332 Topics in the French Middle Ages and Renaissance

Italian

221 Introduction to Italian Literature, Language, and Society: From the Beginnings to 1700

302 Topics in Medieval Italian Literature and Culture

303 Dante’s Inferno

Hellenic Studies

346 Introduction to Byzantine Civilization

362 Special Topics in Byzantine Civilization

History

290 The Scientific Worldview of Antiquity and the Middle Ages

343 The Civilization of the Early Middle Ages

344 The Civilization of the High Middle Ages

367 English Constitutional History

422 Religion and Society in Early Medieval Byzantium and Western Europe

Music

230 Music in Antiquity and the Middle Ages

270 Medieval and Renaissance Music from Original Notation

Near Eastern Studies

203 Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature in Translation

220 Jews, Muslims, and Christians in the Middle Ages

Religion

235 In the Shadow of Swords: Martyrdom and Holy War in Islam

336 Pilgrimage, Travel, and Sacred Space: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the Land of Islam

Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures

Spanish

221 Introduction to Spanish Literature and Civilization from the Middle Ages to the Baroque

302 Medieval Spanish Literature

(The Program in Medieval Studies also offers a summer seminar in paleography for graduate students, which, when space permits, is open to interested undergraduates with the permission of the instructor.)

Students who fulfill all requirements of the program will receive a certificate of proficiency in medieval studies upon graduation.