Medieval history is more than knights and chivalry. Compared to other eras, the medieval period is mysterious—dark, if you will. In areas as diverse as art, religion, philosophy, and science, medieval conceptions of the world have left indelible marks on every era that has followed.

Why Medieval Studies at Sewanee?

The medieval studies program at Sewanee takes you on a journey from the fall of Rome to the 16th century. You’ll get to select an emphasis on one aspect of medieval studies such as literature, art, or philosophy. From architecture to drama, the range of culture from the middle ages will be brought to life. It’s a cross-disciplinary field in which you’ll study the language of Chaucer, the philosophy of Homer, and the history of Latin.

For medievalists, the University hosts the Sewanee Medieval Colloquium, an annual conference attended by historians from around the country. Lectures are given on different themes each year.

A Sampling of Courses

Ancient Philosophy from Homer to Augustine
Philosophy

An examination of ancient thought from Homer to Augustine, involving the study of major works of ancient philosophy in the context of their historical, cultural and religious setting. Special attention is given to how ancient thinkers understood human happiness, the place of human life in the order of the universe, the nature of reality, and the limits of human knowledge and reason. Primary emphasis is on the evaluation of these thinkers' views.

PHIL 203
Medieval Art and Architecture
Art History

The art and architecture of Western Europe from the late Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance. Emphasis will be placed on the development of monumental architecture and the regional peculiarities of sculpture, painting, and the minor arts over the course of this thousand-year period.

ARTH 320
Medieval Latin
Latin

Selections from the Latin prose and poetry of the fourth through fourteenth centuries, A.D.

LATN 405
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Medieval Studies

Programs of Study

Requirements for the Major & Minor in Medieval Studies

Contact

Susan J. Ridyard
Professor of History, Chair of Medieval Studies

sridyard@sewanee.edu

Walsh-Ellet 303, Ext. 1531

European Studies
Ancient Greece & Rome or the Middle Ages & the Renaissance

European Studies is a full semester of study abroad and offers the unique experience of studying in a variety of locations in Europe. Students choose between two academic options: ancient Greece & Rome or Western Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

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Shakespeare Studies
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none

Shakespeare studies is a complementary minor for many programs. There’s a reason Shakespeare’s poems and plays have endured the test of time. His colorful characters give us a glimpse into specific and universal human experiences.

Pray tell more!
Medieval Colloquium
Medieval history, modern conversation

The Sewanee Medieval Colloquium is a conference for ideas. Medieval scholars across various disciplines converse with each other on a theme, hear lectures, share papers, bring challenging new perspectives to the field. Surrounded by bluffs and forest coves, Sewanee’s neo-Gothic campus offers a beautiful and intimate setting for academic conversation about the past and the future.

Hither!