Medieval and Early Modern Studies
The Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) Major and Minor invite students to explore the transformative centuries that shaped the modern world. Covering the period from approximately 500 to 1700 CE, the program examines the societies, cultures, ideas, and events that bridged the ancient and modern eras.
As an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Classics, MEMS brings together courses from a range of fields, including history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, art history, and languages. Students investigate pivotal developments such as the Renaissance, the religious Reformations, European exploration and expansion, and the beginnings of colonialism.
Core MEMS courses provide a shared foundation for students while encouraging critical thinking about the cultural, political, and intellectual forces that continue to influence our world today.
*Students wishing to declare a Major or Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies should consult the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science's iDeclare page or contact MEMS Program Director, Dr. Milo Nikolic.
Upcoming Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) Course Offerings
Fall 2026
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Course |
Title |
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MEMS 1000 |
Cultural Legacy of the Middle Ages |
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MEMS/HIST 1009 |
CRW: Medieval & Ancient World |
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MEMS/CLAS 1120 |
Introductory Latin I |
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MEMS/CLAS 1130 |
Introductory Ancient Greek |
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ENGL 2000 |
Major Writers to 1800 |
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MEMS/PHIL 2201 |
History of Ancient Philosophy |
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MEMS/CLAS 3200 |
Intermediate Latin |
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ENGL 3201 |
Shakespeare檚 Comedies |
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MEMS/CLAS 3300 |
Intermediate Ancient Greek |
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MEMS/RELS 3270 |
Christianity and the Roman Empire |
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MEMS/HIST 3680 |
North Atlantic Seafaring to 1850 |
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Winter 2027
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Course |
Title |
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MEMS 2004 |
Medieval Central and Eastern Europe |
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MEMS/CLAS 2200 |
Intermediate Latin |
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PHIL 2215 |
History of Modern Philosophy |
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MEMS/CLAS 2300 |
Intermediate Ancient Greek |
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MEMS/CLAS 3200 |
Advanced Latin |
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ENGL 3200 |
Shakespeare檚 Tragedies |
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PHIL 3230 |
Kant檚 Theoretical Philosophy |
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MEMS/RELS 3270 |
Christianity and the Roman Empire |
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MEMS/CLAS 3300 |
Advanced Ancient Greek |
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MEMS/HIST 3680 |
North Atlantic Seafaring to 1850 |
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MEMS/ENGL 3828 |
The Middle Ages and the Movies |
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MEMS 3940 |
Urbanization and the Environment in Medieval Europe |
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MEMS 4002 |
The Uses of Writing in Medieval Europe |
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MEMS/HIST 4219 |
Slavery and Resistance in the Atlantic World |
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ENGL 4900 |
Book History and Culture |
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A Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies consists of all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts program, including a minimum of 36 credit hours chosen from the course offerings below, as follows:
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Students must choose courses in at least three different disciplines within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences;
- 6 credit hours in Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1000 (or the former Medieval Studies 1000 (or the former Medieval Studies 2000); and Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1001;
- 6 credit hours in the study of the Latin language, normally Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1120 (or the former Medieval Studies 1120) or Classics 1120, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1121 (or the former Medieval Studies 1121) or Classics 1121, or 6 credit hours in another language studies course relevant to the program (for example, German or French). This requirement will be waived for English Honours students taking 6 credits in Middle or Old English as part of the English Honours program;
- 3 credit hours in one of Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2001 (or the former Medieval Studies 2001) or History 2320, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2002 (or the former Medieval Studies 2002) or History 2330, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2003 or History 2300;
- an additional 21 credit hours in Medieval Studies courses chosen from the table below, of which a minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 3000-level or above, and a minimum of 6 credit hours must be in courses at the 4000-level.
As per the Degree Regulations, General and Honours Degrees, The Major Program, Major Programs of Study, students completing a Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies must choose a single discipline Minor or a second Major.
The Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies consists of a minimum of 24 credit hours chosen from the course offerings below as follows:
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Students must choose courses in at least three different disciplines within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences;
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6 credit hours in Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1000 (or the former Medieval Studies 1000 or the former Medieval Studies 2000); and Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1001;
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3 credit hours in one of Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2001 (or the former Medieval Studies 2001) or History 2320, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2002 (or the former Medieval Studies 2002) or History 2330, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2003 or History 2300;
- An additional 15 credit hours chosen from the course offerings below, of which a minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 3000-level or above, and a minimum of 3 credit hours must be at the 4000-level.
As per the Degree Regulations, General and Honours Degrees, The Minor Program, Minor Programs of Study, students completing a Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies must choose a single discipline Major.
Joint Major in Medieval and Modern Studies
As an alternative to a Minor or a second Major, a student may choose to complete a Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies and another eligible program in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Joint Major Program requires 3 fewer credit hours in each participating Major as prescribed in each program檚 Calendar entry. For the Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 3 fewer credit hours at the 2000-level shall be required to fulfill clause 1.d. of the Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies above.