Medieval and Renaissance Studies

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: Stephen McCormick

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 History
Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin

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 and Associate Dean of The College for Strategic Initiatives
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: