Courses

Medieval studies students practice calligraphy in MEDI 452.

MEDI 100: Entering the Middle Ages

MEDI 100, a first contact with Medieval Studies organized as a thematic exploration of the variety of the Middle Ages through scholarship and through modern renderings and including guest lectures from various disciplines. Outlines both the multi-disciplinarity and the specific methodologies of the field, emphasizes academic and critical reflection on original material and encourages scholarly interpretation of modern renderings of the Middle Ages.

Units: 1.5, hours 3-0

MEDI 200: Myths and Legends of the Middle Ages

is an introduction to selected myths and legends of the medieval world as represented in literature, art and architecture in one or more of the following traditions: Greco-Roman, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Germanic, Celtic. Special attention given to material found in multiple traditions (e.g., stories of heroes such as Alexander, Arthur, or Morgan le Fay). May include medieval myths or the Middle Ages in film.

Units: 1.5, hours: 3-0

MEDI 303: The Medieval World

is an interdisciplinary introduction to the Middle Ages through a comparative overview of medieval cultures and civilizations until about CE 1500, with a focus on the formation of medieval Christian Europe and its relations with Judaism, Byzantine Christianity, and Islam. Both material and intellectual culture (e.g., architecture, art, music, literature) will be studied.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing or permission of the Program.

Units: 1.5, hours: 3-0

MEDI 320: Medieval Voices

MEDI 320 will explore interdisciplinary approaches to various voices and modes of expression in the Middle Ages. A selection of medieval writings intranslation including such genres as romance, tragedy, historiography, saints’ lives, fabliau.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics to a maximum of 3 units with permission of the program.

Not open for credit to students with credit in MEDI 210 if taken in the same topic.

MEDI 320A: Boccaccio's Decameron

Considers Boccaccio's collection of tales, The Decameron, in the context of his life as a pre-Humanist and his association with the poet Francis Petrarch; surveys interdisciplinary cultural productions inspired by the work.

MEDI 320B: Petrarch's Poetry and Legacy

Considers the career of Francis Petrarch, his influential love poetry and letters, his literary friendships, and his enduring obsession with Laura. Highlights the milieu of his work in fourteenth-century Europe. Emphasizes the lyrics of the Canzoniere but also includes Petrarch's correspondence, On Familiar Matters and Of Riper Years, reflections on his life and thought over four decades.

MEDI 320C: Dante's Divine Comedy

Study of one of the world's great poems, the Divine Comedy, through a close reading of its three books, the Inferno, the Purgatorio and the Paradiso, and the relationship of this masterpiece with courtly love, mythology, theology and medieval thought in general.

MEDI 328: Gothic Art and Architecture

An introductory survey of the art and architecture of western Europe from the reconstruction of St. Denis c. 1140 to the beginnings of Renaissance art in Florence c. 1400. Focuses primarily on architecture in northern Europe and on painting in Italy, with a concentration on artists from the cities of Florence, Rome and Siena.

MEDI 330: Topics in Medievalism

MEDI 330 is an exploration of post-medieval uses of the Middle Ages. Addresses artistic, intellectual, spiritual or political applications of medieval history, imagery and cultural practices. Topics may include comic book medievalism, historical reenactment and role play, video games, Neo-Gothic revivalism, museum conservation, ethno-nationalism and nostalgia.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics to a maximum of 3 units with permission of the program.

MEDI 330A: Victorian Medievalism

This course will explore the advent and development of medievalism in the British Empire ca 1800-1900. Through interdisciplinary investigation, we will consider the various themes and associations connoted by medieval imagery in literary and visual contexts.

MEDI 340: Medieval Religious Experiences

Study of medieval religious movements and practices, orthodox and heretical, which may raise questions about whether the category of “medieval” and “religious” are adequate to the evidence.

MEDI 344A: Chaucer: Canterbury Tales

Studies Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

MEDI 344B: Chaucer's Dream Visions and Other Works

Studies Chaucer's work apart from The Canterbury Tales, including Troilus and Criseyde and dream vision poems.

MEDI 346: Old English Language and Literature

Introduction to the English language, its literature (including Beowulf) and its cultural contexts to about 1100. May be organized around a specific theme, topic or cluster of authors.

MEDI 347: Major Figures or Movements in Medieval Literature

Study of the literatures, languages and cultures of medieval Britain, normally with a focus on Middle English, from the 11th through 15th centuries, covering some combination of poetry, prose and/or drama, organized around one or more major figures or movements (e.g, Chaucer; dream visions).

MEDI 347C: Voices and Visions of Women in Medieval Literature

Studies women writers such as Margery Kempe, Julian of Norwich and Marie de France, as well as writing for and about women in the medieval period.

MEDI 348: Themes in Medieval Literature

Study of the literatures, languages and cultures of medieval Britain, through to 15th century, covering some combination of poetry, prose and/or drama, organized around a specific theme or topic; materials may be taught in translation.

MEDI 360: Selected Topics in Medieval Culture

is an interdisciplinary investigation of a selected topic in the evolution of medieval culture, with an emphasis to be placed on artistic, intellectual, or spiritual life of the time.

Note: May be taken more than once in different topics to a maximum of 6 units.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing or permission of the Program.

Units: 1.5, hours 3-0

MEDI 420: Medieval Objects

MEDI 420 will examine approaches to material culture in the premodern world. Drawing together methods and topics from various disciplines, including art history, archeology, and digital humanities.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics to a maximum of 6 units. MEDI 303 or MEDI 304 recomended.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing or permission of the Program.

Units: 1.5, hours: 3-0

MEDI 430: Medieval Places and Spaces

This course will be an interdisciplinary study of selected places or cultural geographies, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. Possible topics include cosmopolitanism, international trade routes, Crusader states, Viking settlements, multicultural Spain or Sicily, and real or imaginary travel itineraries.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics to a maximum of 6 units. MEDI 303 or MEDI 304 recomended.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing or permission of the Program

Units: 1.5, hours: 3-0

MEDI 440: Medieval Intellectual Traditions

MEDI 440 is a study of the sources of influential ideas in the medieval world. Explores how received concepts were transmitted and transformed, with a particular focus on the mythological and philosophical inheritance of pagan antiquity. Topics may include sacred scriptures, Greco-Roman philosophy and rhetorical theory, Arab sciences and technological innovations.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics to a maximum of 6 units. MEDI 303 or MEDI 304 recomended.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing or permission of the program.

MEDI 445: Medieval Media

MEDI 445 will approach medieval media studies with an emphasis on theory and practical application, working with primary sources ranging from medieval manuscripts to modern digital editions. Topics may include scribal hands and paleography, epigraphy, digital encoding, 3D visualization and book arts.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics to a maximum of 6 units. MEDI 303 or MEDI 304 recomended.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing or permission of the program.

MEDI 490: Directed Studies

MEDI 490 is a directed studies course.

Note: Available to Medieval Studies majors in their final year. May be taken more than once for credit to a maximum of 3 units.

Prerequisites: Permission of the Program.

Unit: 1.5, hours: 3-0

MEDI 495: Field School: Special Topics in Medieval Studies

is an experiential introduction to the Medieval world through its architecture, art, religion, philosophy and history, in varying medieval locations. Introductory lectures normally held on campus before departure; sojourn abroad with visits, lectures, and workshops.

NOTE: Credit will be granted for only on of 495, CLAS 495 if taken in the same topic. Mabe be taken more than once for credit in different topics with permission of the program. Interested students should contact the program during the Fall Term.

Prerequisites: Permission of the Program.

Units: 3.0

MEDI 499: Honours Graduating Essay

The graduating essay or project will be completed under the guidance of a faculty member.

Prerequisites: Honours standing in fourth-year.

Units: 1.5, hours: 3-0

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Courses

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