2019-2020 University Catalog

Apr 19, 2024

2019-2020 University Catalog archived

Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MRST)

The major and minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies allow students to examine the history and culture of European society from the fall of the Roman Empire to the end of the 17th century. Majors and minors develop an understanding of a broad range of topics, examining art, economics, history, law, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion and social structures, leading to a broadly based understanding of specific problems within the context of an entire society.

The requirements for the major and minor involve faculty and courses in art history, English, French, German, history, music, physics, religion, and Spanish. More information is available on the program’s website at www.wlu/edu/medieval-and-renaissance-studies-program.

HONORS: An Honors Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies is offered for qualified students; see the program head for details.

Program Head: Holly Pickett

Core Faculty

First date is the year in which the faculty member began service as regular faculty at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.

Matthew Bailey, Ph.D.—(2008)-2008
Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., Tulane University

Rebecca R. Benefiel, Ph.D.—(2005)-2018
Professor of Classics
Ph.D., Harvard University

George R. Bent, Ph.D.—(1993)-2007
Sidney Gause Childress Professor of Art History
Ph.D., Stanford University

Michelle D. Brock, Ph.D.—(2014)-2018
Associate Professor of British History
Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin

Gwyn E. Campbell, Ph.D.—(1985)-1999
Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., Princeton University

Roger A. Crockett, Ph.D.—(1991)-1991
Professor of German
Ph.D., University of Illinois

Howard N. (Hank) Dobin, Ph.D.—(2005)-2005
Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Ph.D., Stanford University

Genelle C. Gertz, Ph.D.—(2003)-2016
Professor of English
Ph.D., Princeton University

Wan-Chuan Kao, Ph.D.—(2013)-2019
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., City University of New York

Jemma Alix Levy, Ph.D.—(2014)-2014
Assistant Professor of Theater
M.F.A., Mary Baldwin College

Stephen P. McCormick, Ph.D.—(2014)-2018
Associate Professor of French
Ph.D., University of Oregon

David S. Peterson, Ph.D.—(1999)-2009
Professor of History
Ph.D., Cornell University

Holly C. Pickett, Ph.D.—(2005)-2011
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Debra Prager, Ph.D.—(2005)-2013
Associate Professor of German
Ph.D., Harvard University

Domnica V. Radulescu, Ph.D.—(1992)-2003
Edwin A. Morris Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., University of Chicago

Melissa E. Vise, Ph.D.—(2018)-2018
Assistant Professor of History
Ph.D., Northwestern University

Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses are as follows; for course descriptions.

The following courses may also meet major requirements when the topic is appropriate:

Degrees/Majors/Minors

Major

• Medieval and Renaissance Studies major leading to BA degree

Minor

• Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor

Courses

MRST 110 - Medieval and Renaissance Culture: Humanities

FDR: HU
Credits: 3

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the Medieval and Renaissance periods through the study of a particular topic. Recent studies: Elizabethan England, and Life and Death in Dante’s Florence. For Winter 2020: Digital Florence: Life and Death in Dante’s Florence.

MRST 111 - Medieval and Renaissance Culture: Literature

FDR: HL
Credits: 3

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the Medieval and Renaissance periods through the study of a particular literary topic. Recent studies: Boccaccio, the Birth of Italian Literature, and Dreaming in the Middle Ages. Staff.

MRST 252 - Introduction to Shakespeare

FDR: HL
Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Complete of the FDR FW writing requirement. A study of the major genres of Shakespeare’s plays, employing analysis shaped by formal, historical, and performance-based questions. Emphasis is given to tracing how Shakespeare’s work engages early modem cultural concerns, such as the nature of political rule, gender, religion, and sexuality. A variety of skills are developed in order to assist students with interpretation, which may include verse analysis, study of early modem dramatic forms, performance workshops, two medium-length papers, reviews of live play productions, and eight final, student-directed performance of a selected play. Dobin.

MRST 286 - Preparation for Shakespeare in Performance

Credits: 1

Prerequisite: Instructor consent and approval to enroll in the spring-term abroad course ENGL 386/THTR 286. Students receive an introduction to Shakespeare’s verse in performance; read and analyze scripts from some of the plays to be observed during spring term; and engage in a team-building workshop and the creation of walking tours of modern London, each built around a particular cultural theme. The course consists of six two-hour meetings. Jemma Levy, Holly Pickett.

MRST 386 - Seminar: Romeo and Juliet and its Aftermath

FDR: HL
Credits: 3

No prerequisite. A study of Shakespeare’s play and the myriad responses to it in both theatrical and other media. (One-time offering for Spring 2020 due to changes resulting from COVID-19) Profs. Jemma Levy and Holly Pickett.

MRST 395 - Seminar in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. A seminar concentrating on topics or concepts relevant to Medieval and Renaissance studies. Topics are offered according to the interests of participating faculty. This course may be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Staff.

MRST 403 - Directed Individual Study

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Individual study of selected topics in Medieval and Renaissance studies. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Staff.

MRST 441 - Honors Thesis Preparation Seminar

Credits: 1

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Preparation for MRST majors or minors toward preparation of an honors thesis. Through a series of literature reviews, bibliographic exercises, grant-writing exercises, skills-training, and exposure to numerous research methodologies appropriate to their self-defined program, students are guided to the completion of an honors thesis proposal by the end of the term. Specific goals and skills are determined in conjunction with the thesis adviser by the end of the fall term prior to registration for the course. Staff.

MRST 473 - Senior Thesis

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: Senior standing, consent of the program head and the major adviser. Individual research devoted to an original topic dealing with issues pertinent to Medieval and Renaissance studies. The focus of this thesis should coincide with the area of study in which the student has done the most work and should be grounded in interdisciplinary themes. Projects should be approved no later than September 30 of the senior year. Staff.

MRST 493 - Honors Thesis

Credits: 3-3

Prerequisites: Senior standing, cumulative grade-point average of 3.300, and consent of the MRST head. Honors thesis devoted to a specialized topic in Medieval and Renaissance studies. Applications for honors should be submitted to the program head no later than March 1 of the junior year. Staff.

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