Undergraduate Medieval Studies

Medieval Studies Undergraduates picnic at the 34th Annual Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park

The Medieval Studies major explores the legacy of the Middle Ages, a period central to our understanding of both the past and the present. Through interdisciplinary study of medieval art, history, language, literature, music and ways of thought and religion, students develop an integrated understanding of medieval civilization.

Medieval Studies majors and minors have the opportunity to pursue independent research in a variety of ways, including an Honors thesis, a tutorial, or helping a faculty member with his or her research. There are also opportunities to work on one of the Center's digital projects.

For questions about majoring or minoring in Medieval Studies, contact Suzanne Yeager, the 2023-2024 undergraduate chair for Medieval Studies.

A Fordham student visits the falconry.

Medieval Studies Student Learning Goals

Upon completion of the major in Medieval Studies, undergraduate students will have acquired

A multifaceted understanding of the medieval world
An appreciation of the cultural heritage of the medieval period
A capacity for critical thinking, including sound argumentation and analysis, expressed in clear written and oral exposition

Required Courses for the Major

Ten courses: one required course, five distribution requirements, and four electives:

HS 1300: Introduction to Medieval History
One course in medieval literature
One course in medieval art or music history
One course in medieval philosophy
One course in medieval theology
One course in a medieval language (Medieval or Classical Latin, Old English, Old French, Old High German, etc.)
Four electives, chosen from medieval offerings in the participating departments

See current undergraduate course offerings in Medieval Studies.

As a Double Major

Students with a major in another department can also major in Medieval Studies by completing ten courses: one required course, three distribution requirements; six electives. Any two of these courses can also count for their other major.

HS 1300: Introduction to Medieval History
One medieval literature or language course (Medieval or Classical Latin, Old English, Old French, Old High German, etc.)
One medieval philosophy or theology course
One medieval art or music history course

Six elective courses, chosen from the medieval course offerings of the participating departments (two of these courses can also count towards the student’s other major)

Requirements for the Minor

Six courses: one required course, three distribution requirements, and two electives.

HS 1300: Introduction to Medieval History
One course in medieval literature
One course in medieval philosophy or theology
One course in medieval art or music history, or a medieval language (Medieval or Classical Latin, Old English, Old French, Old High German, etc.)
Two elective courses, chosen from medieval offerings in the participating departments

Senior Thesis Option

The program offers a senior thesis option in Medieval Studies for senior Medieval Studies majors with a 3.0 GPA or higher in Medieval Studies who wish to complete an ambitious project under the direction of a faculty member.

If you are interested, you should discuss this option with the undergraduate chair of Medieval Studies, as well as with a potential faculty adviser, and then submit an application to be evaluated by the undergraduate chair and potential advisor prior to the semester in which the thesis will be completed. To write a thesis in the spring semester, you must submit the application by October 15 of the previous semester; to write a thesis in the fall semester, you must submit the application by March 1 of the previous semester. If your application is approved, the undergraduate chair will authorize you to register for MVST 4997: Medieval Studies Senior Thesis Tutorial, which counts as an elective toward the major (but will not replace any major requirements). You will write your thesis over the course of one semester, at the end of which there will be a defense of the thesis with the adviser and one program reader. For more information, see For more information, see Fordham Medieval Studies Senior Thesis information.