Late Antique Cultures exists as one of two concentrations sponsored by the Program in Medieval Studies. Late Antique Cultures focuses on the third through ninth centuries c.e., when ancient cultural forms were still in place but medieval cultures were beginning to take shape simultaneously. Organized to facilitate the study of human activity in all its variety, unrestricted by the conventional demarcations of classical and medieval studies, the concentration serves those students who are interested in the changing relations of the many kinds of cultural forms, social patterns, political and economic forms, and artistic and literary traditions in this transitional period.
1. Two courses, one each in Roman history (CL 131 or 132; 132 is recommended over 131) and in medieval history (HI 103 or 104).
2. One course at the advanced level (numbered at least 100) in one approved language; the language in most cases will be Latin, but students will present different competencies and interests; other languages, such as Greek, Hebrew, or one of the medieval vernaculars can be substituted for Latin, with the approval of the concentration advisor and in conjunction with a clearly articulated program of study.
3. Six other courses drawn from appropriate offerings and with the approval of the concentration advisor. These courses should support a concentrational area of special interest.
Honors in Late Antique Cultures are awarded to students who present a meritorious honors thesis in addition to completing the required courses of the concentration. Application for admission to honors should be made in the spring of the junior year, by which time honors candidates must have completed a minimum of six approved courses in Late Antique Studies. Accepted candidates write the thesis in a two-semester course sequence (MS0197,198) under the supervision of a director and a second reader to be determined in consultation with the advisor.
Interested students should contact the concentration advisor, Mr. Pucci, Department of Classics, MacFarlane House, 48 College St., Box 1856, 863-2958, for further details or for consultation. Cooperating Faculty include Professors Bonde (History of Art and Architecture), Bryan (English), Harvey (Religious Studies), Pucci (Classics), Remensnyder (History), Russom (English), Stowers (Religious Studies), Vaquero (Hispanic Studies), and Winkes (Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World).
Page last updated in April, 2007.