Master of Arts in Medieval Studies

Advisor: Jana K. Schulman
The Medieval Institute, Walwood Hall

The Medieval Institute of Western Michigan University offers an interdisciplinary program leading to the Master of Arts in medieval studies. Students may choose a thesis or non-thesis option, depending on their career plans, personal interests, and intellectual orientation. Either option provides a broad background in medieval history, languages, literatures, and religion.

Western Michigan University offers an academic environment conducive to the study of the Middle Ages. Western Michigan University is the host of the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies, and Medieval Institute Publications publishes series of books and journals in the field of medieval studies. The Richard Rawlinson Center offers further opportunities for research and study.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the Graduate College, an applicant must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test, three letters of recommendation, an academic writing sample, and a written statement of intent.

Program Requirements

Coursework

A total of 31 hours of coursework, or 34 hours for thesis writers, is required.

Required core courses, in which a grade of “B” or better must be earned (13 hours)

ENGL 5300 - Medieval Literature Credits: 3 hours
HIST 5501 - Medieval History Proseminar Credits: 3 hours
LAT 5600 - Medieval Latin Credits: 4 hours
REL 5000 - Historical Studies in Religion Credits: 2 to 4 hours
(Topic: Medieval Christianity Credits: 3 hours)

Electives (18-21 hours)

Electives totaling 18 hours pre-approved by the Director of the Medieval Institute. For thesis writers, 15 hours of electives and, in addition, 6 hours of thesis credit.

Languages

Latin and a second medieval or modern language are required.

It is strongly recommended that students take the Level One University of Toronto Centre for Medieval Studies Medieval Latin exam before completing their M.A. degree.
Reading proficiency in a second medieval or modern language is demonstrated by a grade of “B” or better in an approved course or by passing the graduate reading examination offered by the Department of World Languages and Literatures or the Department of Spanish.

Oral Examination

The hour-long Oral Examination is an opportunity for the faculty and students to explore content in medieval studies based on prior coursework. Students will choose two seminar papers with two distinct disciplinary foci, with the expectation that they will have revised them, to submit to the Examination Committee. Students are encouraged to consult the professors they originally wrote the papers for and their Examination Committee for guidance. For students writing theses, one paper may be a chapter of the thesis. These papers will serve as the starting point for the oral exam.

The Examination Committee will be composed of three members named by the Director in consultation with the student. Students will submit the two papers to the Director no less than two weeks prior to examination.

Students will receive an assessment of High Pass, Pass, Low Pass, or Fail. If a student fails an examination the examining faculty will determine whether the student is offered a one-time re-examination to be completed within 12 months of the first examination date.

Option: Thesis

With the thesis advisor’s approval of a prospectus, a student may complete the degree by producing a Master’s thesis (6 hours) under the direction of a Thesis Committee. The Thesis Committee will be composed by the Director in consultation with the student. Students writing theses may use a thesis chapter as one of their seminar papers for the Oral Examination.