Medieval Studies MA

Program Overview

The MA Medieval Studies program at Birkbeck, University of London offers a multidisciplinary exploration of the medieval period (c. 500-1500), integrating literature, history, material culture, and the visual arts. Through seminars, tutorials, and field trips, students develop critical thinking, research skills, and a comprehensive understanding of medieval society, culture, and beliefs. The program prepares graduates for careers in fields related to medieval studies, such as museum curation, archival research, and education, or for further study at the PhD level.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The MA Medieval Studies program offers an in-depth exploration of the medieval period (c. 500-1500) from a multidisciplinary perspective. It focuses on the study of literature, history, material culture, and the visual arts.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of the key features of the medieval period.
• Develop critical thinking and research skills through engagement with primary sources and scholarly debates.
• Explore diverse aspects of medieval society, culture, and beliefs.
• Equip students with the ability to analyze and interpret medieval texts, objects, and images.
• Prepare students for further study at the PhD level or for careers in fields related to medieval studies, such as museum curation, archival research, and education.

Description:

This program features a unique approach that integrates different disciplines to offer a holistic understanding of the medieval world. Students benefit from the expertise of leading scholars within the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication. They actively participate in seminars, discussions, and individual tutorials, fostering a vibrant learning environment.

Outline:

Structure:

The program requires the completion of 180 credits, distributed as follows:

• One compulsory module (30 credits): Medieval and Early Modern Worlds
• Three option modules (30 credits each): Students can choose from a diverse range of modules focusing on specific areas of medieval history, culture, and literature.
• Dissertation (60 credits): Students independently research and write a 15,000-word dissertation on a chosen topic related to the medieval period.

Course Schedule:

Classes are typically held in the evenings, twice a week, from October to July. This schedule is designed to accommodate students who are juggling their studies with work or other commitments.

Modules:

• Compulsory Module:
• Medieval and Early Modern Worlds:
This module introduces key concepts, methodologies, and debates within the field of medieval studies. It provides a foundation for understanding the complexities of the medieval world and prepares students for further exploration in their chosen areas of interest.
• Indicative Option Modules:
• Gothic in England: Architecture, Liturgy and Identity 1170-1360:
This module examines the development of Gothic architecture and its relationship to religious practices, social identities, and cultural expressions in medieval England.
• Ideas Transmission History: This module explores the circulation and transformation of ideas across different cultures and societies in the medieval period.
• Imagined Landscapes of the Middle Ages: This module analyzes the ways in which landscapes were perceived, represented, and experienced in medieval literature, art, and culture.
• Lessons from the Medieval and Early Modern Body: This module examines the history of the body in the medieval and early modern periods, exploring themes such as health, illness, disability, and embodiment.
• Magic, Science and Religion in the Renaissance: This module investigates the complex interplay between magic, science, and religion in the Renaissance period, considering their influence on cultural beliefs, practices, and worldview.
• Me, Myself and You: Histories of Self and Belonging, 1500 to the 21st Century: This module explores the changing conceptions of self and belonging from the early modern period to the present day, examining how these concepts have been shaped by historical, social, and cultural factors.
• Medievalism: Re-presenting the Middle Ages: This module analyzes the ways in which the Middle Ages have been reinterpreted and reimagined in different historical periods, from the Renaissance to the present day.
• Sacred Space, Abrahamic Faith: This module examines the concept of sacred space in Abrahamic religions, focusing on the architectural, ritualistic, and symbolic aspects of religious buildings and landscapes.
• Songs of the Earth: Texts and Landscapes in Early Medieval England: This module explores the relationship between texts and landscapes in early medieval England, examining how literary works reflect and shape perceptions of the natural world.
• The Silk Road: Imagining Global Cultures from the Middle Ages to UNESCO and BRI: This module investigates the history of the Silk Road, tracing its cultural, economic, and political significance from the medieval period to the present day.
• The Woman Question: Medieval to Renaissance: This module examines changing perspectives on women and gender roles from the medieval to the Renaissance periods, exploring literary, historical, and cultural representations.
• To See the World in a Grain of Sand: Reading and Writing Microhistories: This module introduces students to the methodology and practice of microhistory, focusing on the analysis of small-scale events and individuals to illuminate broader historical and cultural trends.
• MA Medieval Studies dissertation: Students undertake independent research on a chosen topic related to the medieval period, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation that demonstrates their research skills, analytical abilities, and critical insights.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the chosen modules. They may include:

• Essays
• Commentaries
• Presentations
• Curation of material culture and visual arts
• Written work
• Preparation of other forms of media
• Examinations (where applicable)
Feedback is provided regularly to help students improve their work and understanding.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Seminars
• Short lectures
• Blended online learning
• One-to-one tutorials
• Field trips
• Site visits
• Museum and archive visits
Small class sizes encourage active participation and foster a close-knit learning environment.

Careers:

Graduates of the MA Medieval Studies program pursue diverse career paths in fields such as:

• Research and archiving
• Museums and galleries
• Education
• Journalism
• Higher education lecturing
• Students have access to excellent library facilities, including the extensive resources of the British Library and other major London research libraries.
• The program encourages students to participate in research seminars, workshops, and conferences to enhance their academic experience and professional development.

Part-time home students: £5,400 per year Full-time home students: £10,800 per year Part-time international students: £9,915 per year Full-time international students: £19,830 per year