Medieval and Early Modern Studies
The Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) Major and Minor invite students to explore the transformative centuries that shaped the modern world. Covering the period from approximately 500 to 1700 CE, the program examines the societies, cultures, ideas, and events that bridged the ancient and modern eras.
As an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Classics, MEMS brings together courses from a range of fields, including history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, art history, and languages. Students investigate pivotal developments such as the Renaissance, the religious Reformations, European exploration and expansion, and the beginnings of colonialism.
Core MEMS courses provide a shared foundation for students while encouraging critical thinking about the cultural, political, and intellectual forces that continue to influence our world today.
*Students wishing to declare a Major or Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies should consult the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science's iDeclare page or contact MEMS Program Director, Dr. Milo Nikolic.
Upcoming Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) Course Offerings
For a complete list of our Medieval and Early Modern Studies courses, see the University Calendar.
Fall 2026
|
Course |
Title |
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|
MEMS 1000 |
Cultural Legacy of the Middle Ages |
|
|
MEMS/HIST 1009 |
CRW: Medieval & Ancient World |
|
|
MEMS/CLAS 1120 |
Introductory Latin I |
|
|
MEMS/CLAS 1130 |
Introductory Ancient Greek |
|
|
ENGL 2000 |
Major Writers to 1800 |
|
|
MEMS/PHIL 2201 |
History of Ancient Philosophy |
|
|
MEMS/CLAS 3200 |
Intermediate Latin |
|
|
ENGL 3201 |
Shakespeare’s Comedies |
|
|
MEMS/CLAS 3300 |
Intermediate Ancient Greek |
|
|
MEMS/RELS 3270 |
Christianity and the Roman Empire |
|
|
MEMS/HIST 3680 |
North Atlantic Seafaring to 1850 |
|
Winter 2027
|
Course |
Title |
|
|
CLAS/MEMS 2200 |
Intermediate Latin |
|
|
CLAS/MEMS 3200 |
Advanced Latin |
|
|
CLAS/MEMS 3300 |
Advanced Ancient Greek |
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|
ENGL 3200 |
Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances |
|
|
MEMS/ENGL 3828 |
The Middle Ages and the Movies |
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ENGL 4900 |
Print Culture and Book History |
|
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HIST/MEMS 1010 |
The Americas |
|
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HIST 2335/MEMS 2004 |
Medieval Central and Eastern Europe |
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HIST 3940/MEMS 3490 |
Urbanization and the Environment in Medieval Europe |
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HIST 4002/MEMS 4002 |
The Uses of Writing in Medieval Europe |
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HIST/MEMS 4219 |
Slavery and Resistance in the Atlantic World |
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PHIL 2215 |
History of Modern Philosophy |
|
|
PHIL 3230 |
Kant’s Theoretical Philosophy |
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Joint Major in Medieval and Modern Studies
As an alternative to a Minor or a second Major, a student may choose to complete a Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies and another eligible program in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Joint Major Program requires 3 fewer credit hours in each participating Major as prescribed in each program’s Calendar entry. For the Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 3 fewer credit hours at the 2000-level shall be required to fulfill clause 1.d. of the Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies above.