Interested in a Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MARS) Major?
Major Requirements:
Ten courses: five in a single field of concentration; three or four in other fields; and one or two interdisciplinary seminars. The
fields of concentration are languages and literature, history, philosophy & religion, fine arts, and music. Students must also
show proficiency in one ancient language and one other language appropriate to their concentration. Keep in mind when
registering that some courses may have perquisites or require you to also sign up for recitations.
Sample Programs (From SY2008-2009 Courses):
1. British Literature I, Shakespeare I, Old English Literature and Culture, Literature and Religion, Chaucer and His Contemporaries
- three fine arts courses such as History of Western Art I, History of Western Art II, and Italian Renaissance Sculpture
- two interdisciplinary seminars: The Education of the Prince: Machiavelli and His Critics and Piety and Plunder: Late Medieval and Early Modern Incursions Within and Without
2. History of Western Art I, History of Western Art II, Italian Art of the Age of Baroque, Renaissance Art Survey, Pontormo to Vasari
- a history course such as The Civilization and Culture of the Middle Ages
- a literature and language course such as Fiction Before the Novel: The Chivalric Romance
- a music course such as Medieval & Renaissance Music
- a philosophy and religion course such as The Making of the Muslim Middle East, 600-1400 A.D.
- an interdisciplinary seminar: Piety and Plunder: Late Medieval and Early Modern Incursions Within and Without
3. The Civilization and Culture of the Middle Ages, The Early Middle Ages: 300-1050, Crusade and Trade: Western Expansion in the Eastern Mediterranean, The Renaissance, Media and Communication in the Middle Ages
- a philosophy & religion course such as Jewish Philosophy in the Medieval World
- three literature and language courses such as Dante’s Divine Comedy in Translation, Old English Literature and Culture, and
- Medieval Literature (taught in French)
- an interdisciplinary seminar: The Education of the Prince: Machiavelli and His Critics
Courses in medieval or Renaissance topics offered at NYU programs abroad count towards a MARS major or minor.
Honors Program:
MARS majors are eligible for the honors program. Students must have at least two full years in residence at NYU. In order to complete the major requirements under the honors program, students are required to maintain a general GPA of 3.65 and a major GPA of 3.7. Honors students are required to register for the Senior Honors Seminar (MEDI-UA 999) during the fall semester and Independent Study (MEDI-UA 997) in the spring. As part of Independent Study, students will develop an honors thesis under a department faculty member’s supervision. The subject of the honors thesis and the faculty advisor are chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. The average length of a thesis is 25-50 double-spaced, typed pages.
Interested in a Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MARS) Minor?
Minor Requirements:
Five courses in Medieval and Renaissance studies: two from a single field of concentration; one each from two other fields; and one interdisciplinary seminar. The fields of concentration are languages and literature, history, philosophy & religion, fine arts, and music.
Sample Programs
1. Old English Literature and Culture + Chaucer and His Contemporaries
- a fine arts course such as History of Western Art I
- a music course such as Medieval & Renaissance Music
- an interdisciplinary seminar such as The Education of the Prince: Machiavelli and His Critics
2. History of Western Art I + History of Western Art II
- a literature and language course such as Fiction Before the Novel: The Chivalric Romance
- a philosophy and religion course such as The Making of the Muslim Middle East, 600-1400 A.D.
- an interdisciplinary seminar: Piety and Plunder: Late Medieval and Early Modern Incursions Within and Without
3. The Civilization and Culture of the Middle Age + The Early Middle Ages: 300-1050
- a philosophy & religion course such as Jewish Philosophy in the Medieval World
- a literature and language course such as Dante’s Divine Comedy in Translation
- an interdisciplinary seminar: The Education of the Prince: Machiavelli and His Critics
Note: Medieval and Renaissance majors and minors may also take courses abroad to fulfill requirements.