7195C Helen C. White Hall, 600 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-7836 or 263-3790; http://polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/msp
Director: Sherry L. Reames; slreames@wisc.edu
Professors Busby, Corfis, Courtenay, Cowell, Cravens, Dale, DuBois, Earp, Geiger, Harris, Howell, Kleinhenz, Mazzaoui, Miernowski, Morgan, Newlands, Niles, Reames, Scarborough, Schamiloglu, Schulenburg, Shank, Temprano, Wolf; Associate Professors Calomino, Chamberlain, Stephenson; Assistant Professors Ancos-Garcia, Cooper, Hsia, Livanos, Shoemaker
The aim of offerings in medieval studies is to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the phase of Western history and culture known as the Middle Ages (roughly the fourth to fifteenth centuries C.E.). Three purposes are envisioned: (1) to make students aware of the great range of disciplines and fields that are involved in the study of the medieval world; (2) to introduce students to the large number of faculty members on the UW-Madison campus who specialize in various areas of medieval study; and (3) to provide opportunities for both students and faculty to pool their interests and knowledge and explore the interrelationships among the medieval disciplines in ways usually not feasible within conventional academic structures.
These purposes are embodied both in interdisciplinary medieval studies courses, offered by participating faculty members "on loan" from their home departments, and in specialized courses on aspects of medieval history and culture that are offered by specific departments in conjunction with the medieval studies program. Opportunities are also provided for students to undertake independent-study projects with participating faculty members.
In addition to departments and programs that cross-list courses with medieval studies (classics, English, French and Italian, German, Hebrew studies, history, history of medicine, history of science, pharmacy, religious studies, Scandinavian studies, Spanish and Portuguese, women's studies), the following departments offer courses and seminars in the medieval area: art history, comparative literature, folklore, geography, music, philosophy, political science, and Slavic languages.
The Medieval Studies Program offers two undergraduate certificates in medieval studies: a regular certificate and an honors certificate. All students are eligible to earn the regular certificate.
The regular certificate requires the completion of eight courses in the medieval area, according to specific distributional requirements, and maintenance of a B average (3.0) in those courses that count toward the certificate.
The honors certificate also requires the completion of eight courses: two of these courses must be advanced (300 or 400 level) courses in one of three languages—Latin, Greek, or Arabic—and other work must be correlated with work in the major. The honors certificate is open to honors-eligible students and requires maintenance of a 3.5 GPA in courses counting toward the honors certificate and a 3.5 GPA overall.
Students interested in working toward either certificate should contact the director of medieval studies as early in their degree program as possible. For further information see the me- dieval studies Web site at polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/msp.
It is possible to specialize in medieval studies under the provisions of the Individual Major Program. For further information contact the director of medieval studies or the L&S General Dean Staff, 70 Bascom Hall, 262-2644.
Occasionally offered courses. (Check with the department to see when these courses will be offered.) 310, 311, 350, 363, 366, 368.
All classes listed in the course descriptions section will be offered regularly unless otherwise noted. Please check with the relevant department office for information on specific courses.
185 Introduction to Medieval Studies for Honors. II; 3 cr (H-E). An introduction to the Middle Ages via various disciplines. Selected literary, historical, cultural, and visual materials designed to introduce students to important themes and events of the Middle Ages. P: Open to 1st & 2nd yr honors stdts only. Open to Fr.
215 Life in the Middle Ages: An Inter-Departmental Course. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-E). An introduction to the life and culture of the Middle Ages with lectures from members of the departments offering courses within the Medieval Studies Program. P: So st.
253 Literature in Translation: Dante's Divine Comedy. (Crosslisted with Littrans, Relig St) I; 3 cr (L-I). P: So st or cons inst.
309 The Crusades: Christianity and Islam. (Crosslisted with History, Relig St) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-D). An examination of the Crusades from both Christian and Islamic perspectives; the historical, social, and religious context and significance of the Crusades for both Christians and Muslims. P: So st.
310 Mediterranean Cities: A Cross-Cultural Approach. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3 cr (H-D). Growth of towns and urban institutions in the three major medieval civilizations bordering on the Mediterranean: Europe, Byzantium, and Islam. P: Jr st or cons inst.
311 Schools and Learning in the Medieval World. (Crosslisted with History, Hist Sci, Classics) I or II or SS; 3 cr (H-D). An introduction to the various forms of education in the Middle Ages and their effect in shaping the childhood and adolescent experience of literate medieval men and women. Some attention will also be given to the medieval origins of such modern educational institutions as the public grammar school and the University. P: Jr st or cons inst.
312 The Medieval Church. (Crosslisted with History, Relig St) Alt yrs.; 3-4 cr (H-D). The course covers the formation and development of ecclesiastical institutions and religious life in Western Europe from the fourth century to the Protestant Reformation. P: Open to Fr with cons inst.
313 Introduction to Byzantine History and Civilization. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-I). Topical consideration of the entire scope of the history of the Byzantine Empire, from the fourth to the fifteenth centuries, and selected aspects of its culture. P: So st.
314 Problems in Byzantine History and Civilization. (Crosslisted with History) I or II; 3-4 cr (H-A). Intensive study of specific areas of the Byzantine Empire's history and culture, selected by agreement between instructor and students, stressing individual research efforts. P: So st.
316 Latin Paleography. (Crosslisted with History, Latin) Alt yrs.; I; 3-4 cr (D). The reading of medieval manuscripts. P: So st.
317 Medieval Social and Intellectual History, 400-1200. (Crosslisted with History, Relig St) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-I). Emphasis on interrelation of social structures and ideology. P: So st or cons inst.
318 Medieval Social and Intellectual History, 1200-1450. (Crosslisted with History, Relig St) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-I). Emphasis on social change and intellectual developments. P: So st.
320 Old English. (Crosslisted with English) I or II; 3 cr (H-A). The elements of Old English grammar with selected readings. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
321 Middle English. (Crosslisted with English) I or II; 3 cr (H-A). The English language and its development in selected texts from the Norman Conquest to Chaucer. P: English 320 or con reg in 320.
322 Ancient and Medieval Science. (Crosslisted with Hist Sci) I or II; 3 cr (H-D). Scientific ideas and institutions from the beginnings of Greek philosophy to the Renaissance. P: Jr st or cons inst. Grads must enroll concurrently in Hist Sci 622.
326 Venice and the Venetian Republic in History and Culture. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-A). Venice and its Republic from late Antiquity to the present: its achievements in politics, commerce, institutions, and the arts; and its place as a creative focus, inspiration, and symbol in Western culture. P: So st.
332 Medieval Art. I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (H-A). A topic in medieval art, artifacts, architecture, and/or manuscript culture. Course will normally meet with a course being given as art history, but from time to time topics that are unavailable as art history courses will be offered. P: So st or cons inst.
342 In Translation: Mythology of Scandinavia. (Crosslisted with Littrans, Folklore, Relig St) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (L-A). P: Jr st or cons inst.
345 In Translation: The Scandinavian Tale and Ballad. (Crosslisted with Littrans, Folklore) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (L-I). P: Jr st or cons inst.
346 In Translation: The Icelandic Sagas. (Crosslisted with Littrans, Folklore) I or II; 3-4 cr (L-A). P: Jr st or cons inst.
351 Arthurian Legend and Literature. II; 3 cr (I). An examination of the evolution of the legend of King Arthur from its historical beginnings through medieval romance up to modern manifestations, including film. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
359 Beowulf. (Crosslisted with English) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). An introduction to all aspects of the poem, which will be read in Old English. P: English 320 or cons inst.
360 The Anglo-Saxons. (Crosslisted with English, History, Relig St) I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-D). Life and literature during the Old English period (c450-c1100). Primary emphasis on the vernacular and Latin writings of the Anglo-Saxons themselves. Extensive historical and archaeological background; attention to the development and character of monasticism, to the production of manuscripts, etc. All reading in translation. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
361 A Study of an Outstanding Figure or Figures of Medieval English Lit. (Crosslisted with English) I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-D). Subject differs each year. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
362 A Study of a Theme in Medieval English Literature. (Crosslisted with English) I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-D). Subject differs each year. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
365 Early Medieval Literature (1066-1350). (Crosslisted with English) I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-D). P: 6 cr of intro lit.
366 Medieval Monasticism. (Crosslisted with History, Relig St) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (L-D). Christian monasticism from the Egyptian desert fathers through Benedict's Rule to the eventual fragmentation and decline in the later Middle Ages, with attention on the early, formative period. P: So st.
367 Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. (Crosslisted with English) I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-D). Chaucer's masterpiece and the changing literary, linguistic, and intellectual traditions reflected in it. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
368 The Bible in the Middle Ages. (Crosslisted with Hebr St, History, Relig St) I or II; 3 cr (L-D). Medieval Bible and its shaping effect on medieval culture. P: So st or cons inst.
369 Contemporaries and Immediate Successors of Chaucer. (Crosslisted with English) I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-D). Selections from "Piers Plowman," the Pearl Poet, Gower, Wiclif, Lydgate, and others; maturity of the Middle Ages, and foreshadowing of the Renaissance in English. P: 6 cr of intro lit.
407 Old Norse. (Crosslisted with Scand St) I; 3 cr (H-A). Reading of texts from the Sagas and Eddas, with comparative study of linguistic structure and literary style. P: Grad st or cons inst.
408 Old Norse. (Crosslisted with Scand St) II; 3 cr (H-A). Continuation of 407. P: Scand St 407 or cons inst.
409 Survey of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature. (Crosslisted with Scand St) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). Eddic and skaldic poetry; homilies and saints' lives, kings' sagas, sagas of the Icelanders; mythical-heroic sagas and romances; rimur. P: Grad st or cons inst; or Scand St/Medieval 407.
414 Literatura de la Edad Media Castellana (ss. XII- XV). (Crosslisted with Spanish) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (L-A). The study of a particular author, work, topic, or literary genre of the Middle Ages and/or Early Renaissance (through 15th century): /I/Poema de mio Cid, mester de juglaria, Libro de buen amor, mester de clerecia, El conde Lucanor, La Celestina, /M/etc. P: Spanish 322. Not open to Grads.
415 Topics in Medieval Art. (Crosslisted with Art Hist) Alt yrs.; I or II; 3 cr (H-A). An advanced lecture course, covering specific aspects of Medieval art. Topics may include: "Death and the Afterlife in Medieval Art"; "Civic Art and Architecture and Public Space in Medieval Italy"; "Rome in the Middle Ages"; "Pilgrimage & the Cult of the Saints in Medieval & Byzantine Art.". P: Jr st & one Art Hist crse at 200 level and one at 300 level, or cons inst.
416 Women in Medieval Society. (Crosslisted with Women St) Alt yrs.; 3 cr (H-I). The changing role of women in medieval Europe from the fall of Rome to the Italian Renaissance. P: Jr st or cons inst.
430 The Vikings. (Crosslisted with Scand St) I or II or SS; 4 cr (H-A). Within a historical framework, a thorough introduction to the culture, literature, and religion of the Vikings. P: Jr St or cons inst. Knowledge of a Scand lang is not required.
444 Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore. (Crosslisted with Scand St) I or II; 4 cr (L-A). Kalevala and the oral literature of Finland. P: Jr st or cons inst.
460 Medieval Hebrew Biblical Commentaries. (Crosslisted with Hebr St, Jewish) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). Introduces graduate students and advanced undergraduate students to Medieval Hebrew Biblical exegesis. Reading, translation and discussion of different medieval interpretations of key passages of the Hebrew Bible. P: 3 yrs of Hebrew, Hebr St 448, or cons inst.
473 Jewish Civilization in Medieval Spain (in English). (Crosslisted with Hebr St, Jewish) I or II; 3 cr (H-I). Cultural, political, economic and scientific contributions of the Jews in medieval Islamic and Christian Spain (711-1492). Emphasis on interaction of the Jews with the general society. P: So st.
550 Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies in Medieval Civilization. (Crosslisted with Classics, History, French, Italian) I or II or SS; 3 cr (H-A). An integrated treatment of a specific theme, to be announced by a group of specialists in different fields. P: Jr st or cons inst.
551 Advanced Studies in Medieval Literature. I or II or SS; 3 cr (L-A). An integrated treatment of a literary theme, current, genre, problem, etc. in at least two medieval literatures. P: Jr st or cons inst.
553 Advanced Topics in Medieval Civilization. I or II or SS; 1 cr (A). An integrated treatment of a specific theme in medieval civilization from a variety of interdisciplinary and/or cross-cultural perspectives; topic varies. P: Jr st or cons inst.
562 Byzantine Medicine and Pharmacy. (Crosslisted with S&A PHM, History, Med Hist, Hist Sci) II; 3 cr (H-D). Byzantine and Islamic medicine and drug lore from Oribasius to the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance (c. 350- c. 1400 A.D.). P: Jr or Sr st or cons inst.
563 Mediaeval Latin. (Crosslisted with Latin) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). P: Latin 204 or appropriate placement score.
611 Survey of German Literature to 1700. (Crosslisted with German) Alt yrs.; 3 cr (L-A). Representative works from the oldest records to the eighteenth century. P: Sr st or cons inst.
651 Introduction to Middle High German. (Crosslisted with German) II; 3 cr (H-A). P: Advanced knowledge of German.
652 Readings in Middle High German. (Crosslisted with German) Alt yrs.; 3 cr (L-A). Selections from MHG courtly literature, illustrations of various genres and writers; relationship of philological to literary studies. P: German 651 or cons inst.
659 Dante's Divina Commedia. (Crosslisted with Italian) I; 3 cr (L-A). Lectures on Dante's life and times, reading Divine Comedy, commentary, discussion, reports. P: Italian 321-322 or cons inst.
660 Dante's Divina Commedia. (Crosslisted with Italian) II; 3 cr (L-A). Continuation of 659. P: Italian 321-322 or cons inst.
661 Il Trecento. (Crosslisted with Italian) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). I: The development of lyric poetry from Dante (Vita nuova and Rime), Cino da Pistoia and Boccaccio to Petrarch ("Canzoniere"). Narrative poetry: Petrarch's Trionfi, Boccaccio's Amorosa visione, and the cantari. II: Prose works: Petrarch's letters and prose, Boccaccio's Genealogia and Decameron, the novellistica, and historical writings. P: Italian 321-322 or cons inst.
662 Il Trecento. (Crosslisted with Italian) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). Continuation of 661. P: Italian 321-322 or cons inst.
671 Il Duecento. (Crosslisted with Italian) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). I: A systematic study of the earliest literary texts in Italy; the rise of the love lyric among the Sicilian poets; representative narrative works. II: The development of the lyric from Guittone d'Arezzo to the poets of the Dolce Stil Nuovo (Guinizzelli, Cavalcanti, Dante). P: Italian 321-322 or cons inst.
685 Honors Seminar in Medieval Studies. II; 3 cr (A). Capstone honors senior seminar, required for completion of the honors certificate in medieval studies; designed to accommodate a range of interests while focusing on a specific method, event, problem, period, or topic of medieval interest; open to non-honors seniors on a space-available basis and with consent of instructor. P: Sr st, at least 3.3 cum GPA. Priority given to stdts enrolled in the honors medieval studies cert progm.
699 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (A).