Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MRST)

Mary Beth Long, Director
Email: marylong@uark.edu
Timothy Nelson, Assistant Director
333 Kimpel Hall
479-575-4301

Medieval and Renaissance Studies Website

The Medieval and Renaissance studies program is administered by the Humanities program. This program offers a minor that encourages undergraduate students to pursue an interdisciplinary study of all aspects of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as a complement to their major field of study.

Requirements for a Minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MRST): (15-16 credit hours) Students must take MRST 20103 or HIST 11193 or HIST 111H3, or HUMN 112H4 and complete at least 12 additional credit hours selected from the courses listed below.  Other courses covering the chronological period between 500 C.E. and 1700 C.E. may also be accepted if approved by the program director or co-director. A maximum of 6 hours may be presented from courses taken in the student’s designated major.

Required Core Course
Select one of the following:3-4
Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Institutions and Ideas of World Civilizations I (ACTS Equivalency = HIST 1113)
Honors Institutions and Ideas of World Civilizations I
Honors Equilibrium of Cultures 500-1600
Twelve hours to be chosen from the following (a maximum of six hours may be presented from courses taken in the student’s major department):12
Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Note: MRST 20103/2013H may only satisfy either the MRST core course requirement or 3 credits of the additional MRST-approved coursework requirement, but not both.)
Special Topics in Medieval Studies
Honors Special Topics in Medieval Studies
Special Topics in Early Modern Studies
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Colloquium
Medieval Art
Italian Renaissance Art
Northern Renaissance Art
History of Architecture I
Advanced Architectural Studies
Introduction to Chaucer
Introduction to Shakespeare
Studies in Medieval Literature and Culture
Medieval Spanish Literature
Islamic Civilization
Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages
Late Middle Ages
Renaissance and Reformation, 1300-1600
Tudor-Stuart England, 1485-1714
Early Modern Islamic Empires, 1300-1750
Honors Colloquium (when offered as an approved MRST course)
Colloquium (when offered as an approved MRST course)
Music in Western Civilization
Medieval Philosophy
Total Hours15-16

Courses

MRST 20103. Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Studies. 3 Hours.

An interdisciplinary introduction to the major historical and cultural developments in northern Europe and the Mediterranean basin from approximately 500 to 1600 C.E. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

MRST 30103. Special Topics in Medieval Studies. 3 Hours.

In-depth study of some topic or period of medieval literature, art, history and philosophy. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.

MRST 301H3. Honors Special Topics in Medieval Studies. 3 Hours.

In-depth study of some topic or period of medieval literature, art, history and philosophy. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to MRST 30103.

MRST 30203. Special Topics in Early Modern Studies. 3 Hours.

In-depth study of some topic or period of Early Modern literature, art, history and philosophy. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.

MRST 40003. Medieval and Renaissance Studies Colloquium. 3 Hours.

Advanced study of some more narrowly focused aspect of medieval and/or Renaissance studies. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

MRST 41103. Italian Fairy Tales in Literature, Visual Arts, and Cinema. 3 Hours.

Explores different typologies of fables and examines the evolution of the genre from the Middle Ages to contemporary times. Taught in Italian. Prerequisite: ITAL 31103 or ITAL 31203 or instructor's consent. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)
This course is cross-listed with ITAL 41103.

MRST 41303. The Power of Women: Representations of from Italian Women from Middle Ages to Early Modern Period. 3 Hours.

Examines the various representations of women through diverse genres, by both male and female authors, from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern period in Italy. Taught in English. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with GNST 41303, ITAL 41303.