The Medieval Studies Program (MSP) at UVA is an interdisciplinary network for studying the premodern world, from the first centuries of the Common Era through the fifteenth century. Its global scope runs from Old French and medieval Latin paleography to Arabic philosophy, patristic writings, Chaucer, Charlemagne's Europe and medieval Japan. Faculty from more than a dozen departments teach in it, and the University Library's Special Collections supports the work.
Undergraduate major (30 credits)
- Language requirement: proficiency through the 2000 level in a language suited to the student's work.
- Core course: MSP 3501, Exploring the Middle Ages, taken by spring of the third year.
- 27 more credits. At least 15 must be at the 3000 level or above, including at least one 4000-level course.
- Courses must come from at least 4 of the 13 participating departments: Anthropology, Art, Classics, English, EALC, French, German, History, MESALC, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, and Spanish/Italian/Portuguese.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA. Students can double major.
Minor (18 credits)
At least 9 credits must be at the 3000 level or above, from at least 3 participating departments.
Distinguished Majors Program
- Students apply in spring of their third year. They need a 3.4 GPA, both overall and in the major.
- The program is a two-semester thesis sequence (MSP 4998/4999). The thesis must be at least 11,000–13,000 words.
Graduate Certificate in Premodern Cultures & Communities (12 credits)
- Open to PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. It covers roughly 500–1700.
- Core course: PMCC 6000. Students add three electives across disciplines, with at least two from outside their home department.
- Students must also show competence in one premodern language, attend two PMCC events, and plan one outreach activity.
Community
Undergraduates have their own student-run research journal, Quill & Quire. The program also hosts events, and it pairs well with the English department's Medieval & Renaissance concentration.
Contact: Prof. Deborah McGrady, Program Director, dlm4z@virginia.edu