Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Director: Jacquelyn Hendricks
The minor in Medieval and Renaissance studies offers students from all departments a cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary program of study in Europe's Middle Ages and Renaissance. These periods lay on the edge of modernity, when the distinctive characteristics of the contemporary world began to form and when major new connections were made between Europe and Africa, the Middle East, East Asia, and the Americas. Study of these periods from many different points of view affords an opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on the ways that Medieval and Renaissance persons, events, and institutions helped to shape the modern world. Completion of the minor is noted on the student's transcript, and students receive a certificate acknowledging their accomplishment.
Requirements for the Minor
Students must complete the following requirements for a minor in Medieval and Renaissance studies:
Seven courses selected from three different departments with a maximum of three lower-division courses.
One of the upper-division courses must require an interdisciplinary research paper based on source materials and secondary works dealing with a topic rooted in the Medieval and/or Renaissance periods. The research paper requirement may be fulfilled by enrolling in MRST 199 under the supervision of an affiliated faculty member and the program director.
The study of French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, and/or Spanish is strongly recommended but not required. Students should consult with the program director to determine the cluster of courses best suited to their personal interests and preparation.
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Courses
199. Independent Study
Directed reading and research in source materials and secondary works dealing with selected problems rooted in the Medieval and/or Renaissance periods, culminating in an interdisciplinary paper. Prerequisite: Permission of program director and instructor. (2--5 units)
Note: In addition to the courses listed below, certain sections of Cultures & Ideas 11A and 12A may be applied to the minor. Many departments offer occasional special topics, directed reading/directed research, and seminar courses on Medieval and Renaissance topics. Students should consult with the program director to determine the applicability of these to the minor, as well as courses taken at other institutions or while studying abroad.
Anthropology Courses
ANTH 146. Anthropological Perspectives on Colonial California
Art History Courses
ARTH 22. Art in the Age of Exploration: Introduction to Early Modern Europe
ARTH 110. Early Christian and Byzantine Art
ARTH 114. Early Medieval Art
ARTH 120. Keeping up with the Medici: Fame and Family in Renaissance Florence
ARTH 121. Venice and the Other in the Renaissance
ARTH 122. Papal Rome: Power, Intrigue, and the Arts
ARTH 128. The Glories of Baroque Rome: Caravaggio, Artemesia, and Bernini
ARTH 164. Islamic Art, 600-1350 CE
Classics Courses
CLAS 135. Medieval Latin
English Courses
ENGL 41. Introduction to British Literature I
ENGL 54. Shakespeare
ENGL 141. Medieval Literature
ENGL 143. Renaissance Literature
ENGL 151A, B, and C. Studies in Shakespeare
ENGL 190. Senior Seminar (on Medieval and Renaissance topics)
History Courses
HIST 11A. Civilization and the City
HIST 91. Africa in World History
HIST 104. World History until 1492
HIST 117. State and Church in the Middle Ages, 1000--1450
HIST 118. Representation, Rights, and Democracy, 1050--1792
HIST 120. The Crusades: Christian and Muslim Perspectives
HIST 126. Conflicts in Medieval Christianity
HIST 127. The World of St. Francis
HIST 146A. Medieval and Early Modern Japan
HIST 147A. Premodern China to 1600
HIST 166. Latin America: Empires
Modern Languages and Literature Courses
FREN 115. Major Works of French Literature I
FREN 120. Moyen Age
FREN 130. Humanism and the Renaissance
ITAL 110. Italian Civilization I
ITAL 120. Survey of Italian Literature I
ITAL 130. Dante, La Divina Commedia I
ITAL 131. Dante, La Divina Commedia II
ITAL 140. Duecento, Trecento
ITAL 150. Quattrocento, Cinquecento (Rinascimento)
SPAN 120. Major Works of Spanish Literature I
SPAN 122. The Spanish Picaresque Novel
SPAN 123. Siglo de Oro Drama
SPAN 130. Survey of Latin American Literature I
SPAN 165. Cervantes: Don Quijote
Music Courses
MUSC 42/142. Concert Choir (Performance)
MUSC 43/143. Chamber Singers (Performance)
MUSC 190. Music of the Middle Ages
MUSC 191. Music of the Renaissance
Philosophy Courses
PHIL 14. History of Western Philosophy: Classical and Medieval
PHIL 124. The Natural Law Tradition
PHIL 125. Aristotle and Aquinas on Justice
PHIL 142. Medieval Philosophy
Religious Studies Courses
SCTR 26. Gender in Early Christianity
SCTR 65. Early Christianity
TESP 79. Women in Christian Tradition
TESP 82. Witches, Saints, and Heretics: Religious Outsiders
TESP 118. Clare of Assisi and Ignatius of Loyola
TESP 143. Theology and Ethics of Thomas Aquinas
Theatre Courses
THTR 116. Shakespeare's Tragedies
THTR 117. Shakespeare's Comedies
THTR 118. Shakespeare Studies
THTR 120. Acting Styles I: Shakespeare
Women and Gender Studies Courses
WGST 46. Gender in Early Christianity