In addition to the interdisciplinary and archival courses offered by our institute, a full schedule of medieval courses is offered in other participating academic departments. Approximately 65 medieval courses are offered here each year, not including the many courses in language instruction and independent research that student medievalists frequently take. Many students participate in medieval studies courses without enrolling in our formal degree programs. Courses that can count toward the medieval studies minor or certificate may not be listed below, reach out to mest@iu.edu with questions.
Courses
Spring 2025 Courses
Early Medieval China (Topics in East Asian Studies)
EALC-E 505 with Nick Vogt
Graduate topics course that explores a variety of issues related to East Asian Languages and Culture.
Readings in Medieval Civilization
MEST-M 815 with Shannon Gayk
Reading course. Will vary with each offering and in each discipline or department.
Readings: Medieval Philosophical Sources
PHIL-P 596 with Adam Leite
Course description: Substantive philosophical topics investigated directly from Latin or Hebrew texts. Reading knowledge of medieval Latin or Hebrew required.
Readings in Late Medieval Literature and Culture
ENG-L 610 with Shannon Gayk
Course description: The topic of this course is “Visionary Poetics”. Activists adrienne maree brown and Walidah Imarisha have suggested that a goal of speculative literature "is to change the world." In this class, we will consider this claim by turning to premodern visionary texts that engage some of the most challenging crises of their time--systemic injustice, labor relations, political corruption, ecological disaster--by creatively imagining a world that could be otherwise. We will dig deep into the historical contexts and focus on visionary poems and prose that both critique dominant ideas and frameworks and try to imagine new worlds and new ways of being in the world. We will also discuss how medieval speculatio invites deep consideration of the relation of inner worlds and outer ones, and the relation between what is and what could be. At the heart of the course will be Piers Plowman, an allegorical dream vision that seems to have inspired some of the leaders of the 1381 Peasant's Revolt, but that has a complex relation to authority, visionary world-building, and reform. Other course readings will be drawn from medieval political and religious writing, including texts such as Pearl, Julian of Norwich's Revelations, and short political and religious allegories. We will conclude with Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower. Course assignments will include co-leading a discussion and developing and executing a writing plan that allows you to accomplish your larger intellectual, creative, pedagogical, and/or writerly goals for this class (L610 students should expect to write at least 4500 words and L758 students at least 6500 words of polished prose).
Research in Interdisciplinary Studies
ENG-L 758 with Shannon Gayk
Course description: The topic of this course is “Visionary Poetics”. Activists adrienne maree brown and Walidah Imarisha have suggested that a goal of speculative literature "is to change the world." In this class, we will consider this claim by turning to premodern visionary texts that engage some of the most challenging crises of their time--systemic injustice, labor relations, political corruption, ecological disaster--by creatively imagining a world that could be otherwise. We will dig deep into the historical contexts and focus on visionary poems and prose that both critique dominant ideas and frameworks and try to imagine new worlds and new ways of being in the world. We will also discuss how medieval speculatio invites deep consideration of the relation of inner worlds and outer ones, and the relation between what is and what could be. At the heart of the course will be Piers Plowman, an allegorical dream vision that seems to have inspired some of the leaders of the 1381 Peasant's Revolt, but that has a complex relation to authority, visionary world-building, and reform. Other course readings will be drawn from medieval political and religious writing, including texts such as Pearl, Julian of Norwich's Revelations, and short political and religious allegories. We will conclude with Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower. Course assignments will include co-leading a discussion and developing and executing a writing plan that allows you to accomplish your larger intellectual, creative, pedagogical, and/or writerly goals for this class (L610 students should expect to write at least 4500 words and L758 students at least 6500 words of polished prose).
The Medieval City
ARTH-A 526 with TBA
Course description: Examines the cities of Western Europe and the Islamic and Byzantine worlds from the perspective of the institutions of the city, and the art and architecture they generated, including houses, fortifications, churches, town halls, guild halls, and markets. Medieval representations of the city will also be explored.
The College of Arts