Certificate in Medieval Studies

The Certificate in Medieval Studies rewards students for undertaking interdisciplinary work across several departments. This endeavor provides the necessary tools for viewing clearly not only a distant society, but also, in its reflection, our own.

Like a minor, the certificate documents a rigorous course of study in addition to the major(s). It attests to ambitious intellectual goals as well as the ability to consider historical problems from transnational and transcultural perspectives. As a credential, it demonstrates a capacity for comparative critical thinking and analysis, skills that appeal to a wide range of potential employers.

For more information about the certificate, see here.

For the list of courses that count for the certificate see here. Please note that this list of courses is not complete; many other courses with medieval content may count toward the certificate. Please contact the program director with any questions about counting a class. To find out what is being offered in a given semester, please consult the Course Search & Enroll app.

SUMMARY OF THE REQUIREMENTS

Five courses (15 credits) in the medieval area, according to the following distributional requirements:

  1. One of the following courses (3 credits) is required:
  2. Two courses (6 credits) from Category A: History, History of Science, Philosophy, and Political Science
  3. Two courses from Category B: Languages, Literature, Visual Arts, and Music

Additionally, all certificate students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average in the courses that count toward the certificate.

RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE STUDY

While language study is not required for the certificate, all candidates are encouraged to enhance the work they can do in Medieval Studies by acquiring a reading knowledge of a modern or historical language as early as possible. Studying Latin in addition is strongly recommended for those who plan to do graduate work in the field.

UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING

The director serves as the undergraduate advisor for all students pursuing the Certificate in Medieval Studies. All courses not listed in the approved course listing must be approved by the advisor in order to count toward the certificate. Students who have taken courses in the medieval area at other universities or while studying abroad may petition the advisor to approve those courses toward the certificate, according to the above distributional requirements.

For further information or to sign up for the certificate, contact the director:

Professor Lisa H. Cooper
Department of English, University of Wisconsin-Madison
7187 Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park Street
Madison, WI 53706
Email: lhcooper@wisc.edu