Program: Medieval and Early Modern Studies, BA - Binghamton University

Apr 02, 2025

2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

The Medieval and Early Modern Studies major enables students to custom-build an interdisciplinary program in the global history of political, religious and social institutions in the medieval and early modern period. Students will have the opportunity to examine cultural production; from science and technology to theater, literature, music and art. Courses for the major are selected from departmental offerings across campus, offering majors the ability to customize their program to their own interests. With a background in medieval and early modern studies, students develop strong analytic and critical-thinking skills and a deep, nuanced understanding of the relationship between social and cultural developments across time and space.

The program encourages students to concentrate on one geographic region or on the increasing development of global interdependencies while focusing on a particular period or movement through time. Medieval studies offers two chronological tracks: the medieval track (late fourth through 15th centuries) and the early modern track (15th through 18th centuries). Students must choose to specialize in one of these tracks.

The major is recommended for students planning to pursue graduate studies in pre-modern fields in the humanities and social sciences or as preparation for law school. It has also proven to offer excellent preparation for careers in the public humanities and public history.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the Medieval and Modern Studies major (44 credits total):

MDVL 101 Introduction to Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Two 200-level or higher courses (4 credits each) in the research language pertinent to the student’s course of study*
Five elective courses chosen from the student’s major track**
Three elective courses from the track not chosen, and/or in classical studies***

Notes:

*Introductory/elementary language courses may be required prerequisites for completion of the major.

**In cases where ambiguities arise (e.g., when course coverage straddles both periods), the undergraduate director will consult with faculty to determine the track-status of a given course.

***Courses not designated by the CLAS, LAT or GRK rubric, but still within the disciplinary boundaries of classical studies, can be counted as courses in classical studies with the approval of the undergraduate director.

Six courses (or 24 credits) must be 300 level or higher, with at least one of these being a 400-level seminar.

The eight elective courses must be taken from at least three different departments. Courses not designated by the MDVL rubric, but still focusing on the program’s time period (late 4th century through 18th) can be counted among these eight required courses for the major with the approval of the undergraduate director.

Additional Information About the Program

Students must earn a minimum of C- in major courses to count towards the program requirements. Only one course below the 400 level may be taken Pass/Fail.

For more information on the Medieval and Early Modern Studies BA program, please refer to the Medieval and Early Modern website. To apply to the Medieval and Early Modern Studies BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.

Medieval and Early Modern Studies, BA

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