Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Medieval and Early Modern Studies covers the period between Antiquity and the Modern Age (approx. 500-1700). 

This period is noted for encompassing the Renaissance, the religious Reformations, the Age of European Expansion, and early colonialism. Studying this period helps one to understand historical developments in science, law, literature, art, philosophy and architecture, how those developments have impacted our age, and why they are worth studying on their own merits. 

Note: This program was recently changed from Medieval Studies (MST) to Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS).

Medieval and Early Modern Studies Electives 

Below is a list of all Medieval and Early Modern Studies electives that anyone can register for, because they have no or just 1 prerequisite. For a complete list of our Medieval and Early Modern Studies courses, see the university calendar. 

1000 The Cultural Legacy of the Middle Ages
(MEMS 1000)

Will survey the formative cultures of the Middle Ages - Latin, Celtic, Arabic - as well as the rise of the new vernacular cultures, English, Germanic and Romance. Literary trends such as the reliance on authority, the emergence of national epic and the development of court literature will be studied. The course examines the interplay of all the arts - literature, music, art and architecture.

Note: Same as the former MST 2000

1001 The Cultural Legacy of the Middle Ages
(MEMS 1001)

This course surveys the cultural changes that emerged in the arts and society during the early modern period. The course examines the intellectual movement of humanism, the religious Reformations, the rise of science, the spread of print media, the expanding world of learning, the so-called “Age of Discovery,” discourses of colonialism, and the use of new religious and the use of new religious and political beliefs to develop ethnocentric and racist ideologies.

Introductory Latin I
(MEMS 1120)

Familiarizes students with the basics of the Latin language. Students will learn how to read simple narratives and short poems in Latin and examine the connections between language and culture. Evaluation will focus largely on comprehension of written Latin. All sections of this course follow the Language Study Course Guidelines available at www.mun.ca/hss/ls.

Note: Same as Classics 1120, the former Classics 120A

Introductory Latin II
(MEMS 1121)

Continues to familiarize students with the Latin language and Roman culture and society. Students will acquire a broad vocabulary, learn to read more complex passages of prose and poetry in Latin, and gain insights into key social concepts through study of language. All sections of this course follow the Language Study Course Guidelines available at www.mun.ca/hss/ls.

Note: Same as Classics 1121, the former Classics 120B

Prerequisite: Classics 1120 or MST 1120

Introductory Ancient Greek I
(MEMS 1130)

Familiarizes students with the basics of the Ancient Greek language. Students will master the Ancient Greek alphabet, learn how to read simple narratives in Ancient Greek, and examine the connections between language and culture. Evaluation will focus largely on comprehension of written Ancient Greek. All sections of this course follow the Language Study Course Guidelines available at www.mun.ca/hss/ls.

Note: Same as Classics 1130

Introductory Ancient Greek II
(MEMS 1131)

Continues to familiarize students with the Ancient Greek language. Students will acquire a broad vocabulary, learn to read more complex passages of prose and poetry, and gain insights into key social concepts through study of language. All sections of this course follow the Language Study Course Guidelines available at www.mun.ca/hss/ls.

Note: Same as Classics 1131

Prerequisite: Classics 1130 or MST 1130

Medieval Europe to the Eleventh Century
(MEMS 2001)

A survey of the economic, social, political and cultural developments of the early Middle Ages.

Note: Same as History 2320

Medieval Europe Since the Eleventh Century
(MEMS 2002)

A survey of the economic, social, political and cultural developments of Europe in the high and late Middle Ages.

Note: Same as History 2330

History of Medieval Philosophy
(MEMS 2205)

Examines and traces the historical developments of a number of philosophical themes, questions and ideas throughout medieval philosophy by reading, analyzing and discussing selected primary texts from philosophers and theologians from the 4th to 14th centuries. Authors may include Augustine, Proclus, Boethius, Al-Farabi Ibn Sina, Anselm, Ibn Rushd, Maimonides, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Scotus and Ockham, among others.

Note: Same as Philosophy 2205, Religious Studies 2205

Game of Genders:
Sex and Society in the Medieval North
(MEMS 2494)

Introduces students to considerations and expressions of gender in northern medieval society, with particular reference to Viking and Anglo-Saxon worlds. The course explores the concept of gender and considers varied gendered identities found in material and textual evidence. Students will reflect on how significant cultural changes, such as the conversion to Christianity and the expansion to the North Atlantic and to L'Anse aux Meadows, laid the foundation for what is considered gender appropriate in Western society.

Note: Same as Archaeology 2494

Prerequisite: it is recommended, but not obligatory, that students should have successfully completed Archaeology 1000 or the former Archaeology 1030 or Gender Studies 1000

Medieval Books
(MEMS 3000)

An examination of the development and role of the manuscript book during the Middle Ages. Topics covered will include book production and dissemination; authors, scribes and audiences; and various kinds of books (e.g. glossed Bibles, anthologies, books of hours, etc.) and their uses.

Note: Same as English 3002, History 3000, Religious Studies 3000; this course may be substituted for a Greek and Roman Studies course in both the Classics degree programs (Honours, Joint Honours and general degree) and the Greek and Roman Studies degree programs (Honours, Joint Honours and general degree)

Art, Architecture and Medieval Life
(MEMS 3001)

An examination of the development of medieval art and architecture and of the ways in which they mirror various aspects of life in the Middle Ages. This course will include a discussion of art and architecture in the countryside, in the town, in the castle, in the cathedral and in the cloister.

Note: Same as the former Anthropology 3589, Archaeology 3001, Folklore 3001, the former History 3020 

Christian Thought in the Middle Ages
(MEMS 3003)

A study of the development of Christianity in the West from the eleventh century to the eve of the Reformation, through an examination of its principal thinkers and the most significant societal forces and events: the crusades, the universities, monasticism, religious dissent and mysticism.

Note: Same as Religious Studies 3560

Women Writers of the Middle Ages
(MEMS 3006)

Will study selections from the considerable corpus of women's writings in the Medieval period, as well as issues which affected women's writing. All selections will be read in English translation.

Note: Same as English 3006, the former MST 3351, Gender Studies 3001, the former Women's Studies 3001

Christianity and the Roman Empire
(MEMS 3270)

A study of the relationship between Christianity and the Roman Empire from the first to the fourth century.

Note: Same as Classics 3270, History 3270, Religious Studies 3270

Norse Archaeology
(MEMS 3592)

Explores the influence of the Vikings on the medieval world and the place of L'Anse aux Meadows within this cultural milieu. Students will be introduced to Viking-Age archaeological and literary texts to gain knowledge of specific questions and problems concerning multicultural contact within the Viking-Age world, specifically the North Atlantic region. They will also gain an appreciation of the challenges associated with using interdisciplinary evidence as well as migration and multicultural issues in the past and present.

Note: Same as Archaeology 3592, the former Archaeology 3685

Prerequisite: Archaeology 1000 or the former Archaeology 1030

The Middle Ages and the Movies
(MEMS 3828)

Explores the ways medieval sources are represented in modern films, and how modern cultural and political concerns influence how these medieval sources are presented. Through a selection of medieval films and their historical and literary inspirations, we will see how films shape our present-day concepts of history, identity, freedom, knowledge and creativity.

Note: Same as English 3828

Prerequisite: 3 credit hours in English at the 2000-level