University Catalog 2014-2015

University of Colorado Boulder

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

    To the Middle Ages, the modern world owes the preservation and transmission of Latin and Greek; the development of a host of vernaculars; the evolution of Judaism and Christianity, and the rise of Islam; the renewed study of Roman law; the growth of a mercantile class; the creation of musical notation; the erection of ecclesiastical monuments; the foundations of constitutional government; and the institution of universities. The early modern period inherited and elaborated all these institutions and inventions, adapting them to fit new conceptions of man (and woman), church, and state.   

    The Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies is founded on the convictions that the period from c. 400 to c. 1800, conceived in a global context, is a dynamic cultural continuum and ever-evolving system; that study of both periods in tandem sheds new light on each; and that the unity and diversity of the premodern world can be understood and appreciated only from an interdisciplinary perspective. Medieval and Early Modern Studies therefore crosses boundaries of period, nation, language, and discipline, and the center’s prime function is to facilitate and encourage interdepartmental study and teaching.   

    Courses throughout the curriculum are available to students whose area of specialization within a given department is the medieval and/or early modern period(s) and who wish to broaden their knowledge of the cultures of the period. With the approval of the major department, a coherent group of these courses may be accepted as a related program of study and as part of the requirements for an undergraduate degree. For additional details concerning these courses, see departmental listings.  

    For more information, and to inquire about the undergraduate certificate program (see below), consult Professor Scott G. Bruce, director, Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Department of History, University of Colorado Boulder, 234 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0234, or cmems@colorado.edu.

    Course code for this program is MEMS. 

    Certificate Program

    Certificate in Medieval and Early Modern Studies

    Requirements (24 hours):

    • Lower-division introductory survey (EALL 1011, ARTH 1300/1409, HIST 1010, HUMN 1010/1020)
    • Senior-level seminar (MEMS 4030 or equivalent)
    • Capstone seminar (MEMS 4020 or equivalent) with a minimum grade of B
    • Five electives, at least four of which must be upper division
    • Two of the above electives must be in disciplines other than the major
    • Substitutions for MEMS 4020 and 4030 may be made the discretion of the MEMS advisor or faculty chair

    For more information, and to inquire about the undergraduate certificate program, consult Professor Scott G. Bruce, director, Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Department of History, University of Colorado Boulder, 234 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0234, or cmems@colorado.edu.