Medieval Studies: General Information

Medieval Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill brings together faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates who share a passion for the study of the medieval period in Europe, the Mediterranean, and various other cultures and geographical areas. The approaches to medieval studies at UNC-Chapel Hill are eclectic, emphasizing the diversities and cross-cultural interactions of medieval civilization itself. Some study Western Europe; others focus on the Byzantine world, North Africa, or Russia. Some examine medieval Jews or Muslims; others explore medieval Christianity; still others are intrigued by medieval heretics. Some study public institutions and high culture; others focus on medieval peasants and folk traditions. Medieval Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill encompasses all these things--and more.

Reflecting these wide ranging interests and approaches, Medieval Studies faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill work and teach in Anthropology, Art, Asian Studies, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, Germanic Languages, History, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Romance Languages, Slavic Languages and Literatures, and Women's Studies.

The program at UNC-Chapel Hill is administered by the Medieval Studies Advisory Board, a group consisting of representatives from the faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. Each year, a faculty member serves as Chair; another serves as Graduate Advisor; and another acts as Undergraduate Advisor. In addition to its administrative functions, the Medieval Studies Advisory Board organizes an annual reception for area medievalists, sponsors lectures and other events, and helps fund activities of interest to medieval studies faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates.

Interested students at Chapel Hill also come together in their own organization, the Carolina Association for Medieval Studies (CAMS), which produces a newsletter, helps organize the annual North Carolina Colloquium of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, hosts talks, workshops, and reading groups, and arranges other events. Both graduate students and undergraduates at UNC-Chapel Hill may pursue a minor in Medieval Studies.

Medieval programs and events at UNC are complemented by the active programs of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Duke University.