Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University offers an interdisciplinary exploration of medieval history, languages, literature, and religion. Students gain a strong foundation through core courses and can pursue specialized interests through electives. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, archives, education, museums, and publishing.
Program Outline
Outline:
The Master of Arts in Medieval Studies program at Western Michigan University provides students with a broad interdisciplinary background in medieval history, languages, literature, and religion. The program's curriculum is designed to allow students to pursue specialized interests while also gaining a strong foundation in the field.
Core Courses:
- ENGL 5300: Medieval Literature (3 credit hours)
- HIST 5501: Medieval History Proseminar (3 credit hours)
- LAT 5600: Medieval Latin (4 credit hours)
- REL 6200: Medieval Religions (3 credit hours)
Electives:
Students must complete 18 credit hours of electives, or 15 credit hours for thesis writers.
Thesis:
Students who wish to write a thesis must complete 6 credit hours of thesis (MDVL 7000).
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Coursework: Students must earn a grade of B or better in all core courses.
- Oral Examination: Students must pass an hour-long oral examination that covers content from their coursework.
- Thesis: Students who write a thesis must submit a thesis that is approved by their thesis committee.
Teaching:
The Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University has a distinguished faculty of scholars who are actively engaged in research and teaching. The Institute offers a variety of courses, including:
- Regular scheduled courses
- Special topics seminars offered on campus by visiting scholars
- Off-campus courses through Western Michigan University's affiliation with the Center for Renaissance Studies at the Newberry Library in Chicago
Careers:
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Medieval Studies program at Western Michigan University have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including:
- Academia
- Archives and libraries
- Education
- Museums
- Publishing
