Fall 2015 Medieval Studies Courses
I. Undergraduate Course Descriptions (incl. 400-level)
II. Graduate Seminar Descriptions
III. Medieval Studies Major & Minor Requirements
IV. Medieval Studies Graduate Concentration Requirements
Note: For Cross-listed courses the CRN is that for MDVL; the CRN for other Departments will differ
I. Undergraduate Courses
MDVL 201 Medieval Literature and Culture
credit: 3 hours. Same as CWL 253 and ENGL 202. See ENGL 202.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Literature and the Arts
UIUC: Western Compartv Cult
Instructor: R. Barrett
This course introduces students to the cultural diversity of the global Middle Ages by focusing on narratives of travel and mobility. Some of these journeys cross historical landscapes: a Castilian mercenary sells his sword to the courts of Muslim Spain, a Chinese poet drinks his way up and down the Yangtze River, a Japanese concubine takes up the itinerant life of a Buddhist nun upon leaving the imperial court, and an English housewife goes on pilgrimage just about everywhere. Others traverse imaginary terrain: an Irish abbot and his monks set sail for the Isle of the Blessed, a flock of Persian birds cross seven mystical valleys to find their king, a grim outlaw fightstrolls and zombies in the wilds of Iceland, a Florentine poet burns away his sins by climbing Mount Purgatory, and knights errant wander the forests of Arthurian legend on never-ending quests. All of these travel narratives share an interest in encountering the alien (barbarians, foreigners, monsters, prodigies, heretics, etc.) as well as a realization of travel's potential for self-discovery--or self-alienation. Texts will be read in Modern English translations; assignments will include short reading responses, longer interpretative essays, and a pair of exams.
RLST 214 Introduction to Islam
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
UIUC: Hist&Philosoph Perspect
History of Islamic thought from the time of Muhammad to the present, including the prophethood of Muhammad, the Qur'an, theology and law, mysticism and philosophy, sectarian movements, modernism and legal reform, and contemporary resurgence. Same as SAME 214. Credit is not given for both RLST 213 and RLST 214.
LA 218 South Asian Cultural Landscapes
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
UIUC: Literature and the Arts
Instructor: A. Sinha
Survey of Hindu, Buddist, and Islamic landscapes of South Asia. Examines urban structures, building typologies, and open space types through history as influenced by concepts of the natural, sacred, political, and social. Same as ASST 218.
HIST 220 Traditional China
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
UIUC: Hist&Philosoph Perspect
Instructor: K. Chow
Historical background to the modern age, tracing the Chinese state and empire from the earliest times until 1644 A.D. Basic political, social, and economic patterns; cultural, intellectual, and technological achievements; and China's impact on Asia and the world. Same as EALC 220.
RLST 223 The Qur'an (Koran)
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
UIUC: Literature and the Arts
Introduction to the Qur'an (Koran), the holy scripture of Islam, examining its major doctrines, thematic development, literary style, and its relationship to pre-Qur'anic, especially Biblical, traditions. Special attention is given to various methods Muslims have used to interpret the Qur'an. Same as CWL 223, SAME 223. Prerequisite: RLST 213 or RLST 214.
HIST 226 Premodern Japanese History
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
UIUC: Hist&Philosoph Perspect
Instructor: R. Toby
Introduction to the history of the Japanese people, their social and cultural systems, politics, and economy, from the earliest times to the sixteenth century. Same as EALC 226.
MDVL 240 Italy in the Middle Ages & Renaissance
credit: 3 hours. Same as CWL 240 and ITAL 240. See ITAL 240.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Literature and the Arts
53946 / Lecture- Discussion / E / 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM / TR / G46 - Foreign Languages BuildingInstructor: E. Rota
Nobles, Merchants and Poets from the dawn of the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Discover the world that inspires fairy tales. In English.
MDVL 251 Viking Mythology
credit: 3 hours. Same as CWL 251, RLST 251, and SCAN 251. See SCAN 251.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Hist&Philosoph Perspect
UIUC: Western Compartv Cult
Instructor: B. Malekin
In this course we will read a variety of texts dating back to the Roman period but primarily from the centuries during and immediately after the Viking Period. Students will become familiar with the major gods and goddesses, other mythological beings, rituals, and texts as well as getting an overview of the archaeological and anthropological contributions to the understanding of pre-Christian religion in Pagan Northern Europe. In the final part of the semester we will look at reflections of Viking Mythology in everything from 19th century opera to 20th century Warner Bros Cartoons and will also treat Neopaganism and the “Revival” of Germanic Religion. Students will purchase translations of several of the most important Icelandic texts on Viking Age Religion and will also read materials that are available for free online.
MDVL 255 The British Isles to 1688
credit: 3 hours. Same as HIST 255. See HIST 255.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Hist&Philosoph Perspect
UIUC: Western Compartv Cult
Instructor: D. Rabin
EALC 275 Masterpieces of East Asian Literature
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
UIUC: Literature and the Arts
Study of major works in the literary traditions of China and Japan, including haiku, noh, Tale of Genji, kabuki, Tang poetry, Ming theater, and the colloquial tale. Same as CWL 275. No knowledge of Chinese or Japanese language required.
ANTH 277 Ancient Cities, Sacred Land
credit: 3 hours.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC Social Sciences
UIUC: Western Compartv Cult
Examines urban development from its origins to the present day. Among the concepts covered are urbanism, urbanization, ceremonial centers and ceremonial cities, the city as a system, the spatial and economic organization of cities, and the built environment (sacred landscapes, vernacular architecture, places of power). Small field project is conducted in Champaign-Urbana.
CWL 311 Japanese Literature in Translation I
credit: 3 hours. Same as EALC 305. See EALC 305.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a: UIUC: Literature and the Arts
UIUC: Non-Western Cultures
Instructor: E. Oyler
CWL 395 Special Topics Comp Lit I: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Iberia
credit: 3 hours.
Presentation and discussion of subjects relating literature to other disciplines; topic varies. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
meets with SP 395
64635 / Lecture- Discussion / EC / 02:00 PM - 03:20 PM / TR / 1062 - Lincoln HallInstructor: V. Hoffman
This course will explore cultural relations between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in medieval Iberia (today’s Spain and Portugal). In order to understand the complex nature of interfaith life in medieval Iberia, we will study a diverse array of sources from Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, Castilian, and Catalan literature and historiography. All readings will be taught in English translation. At the end of the semester, we will briefly examine how the history of medieval Iberia has become a framework for understanding Muslim-Christian relations in contemporary Europe.
RLST 415 Introductory Readings of the Talmud
credit: 3 hours.
64662 / Lecture- Discussion / DYW / 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM / TRInstructor: D. Weiss
The Talmud, produced in Babylonia around the seventh c. CE, is one of the most important works of Jewish literature. For the last millennium, Talmud study has been a central part of Jewish religious and cultural practice. This course will explain the Talmud’s import and durability within Jewish culture while introducing students to the rigors of legal analysis that lie at the heart of most talmudic passages. The course is ideal for those interested in religion, law, logic games and questions of textual interpretation. The course will study the Talmud entirely in English translation.
ENGL 407 Introduction to Old English
credit: 3 OR 4 hours.
49440 / Lecture- Discussion / 1G / 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM / TR / 136 - Davenport HallInstructor: C. Wright
this pure contemplation / of a language of the dawn
--Jorge Luis Borges, “On Embarking on the Study of the Anglo-Saxon Language”
In this course you will learn to read Old English prose and poetry in the original language, which was spoken by the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of England from the sixth through eleventh centuries. This was the native language of Caedmon, who wrote the earliest surviving English poem (“Cædmon's Hymn”); of King Alfred, who prevented the Vikings from conquering England, and who then undertook a revival of learning by translating into English “those books which it is most necessary for all to know”; of the anonymous author of Beowulf, who memorialized a Germanic hero’s battles with a man-eating monster, his vengeful mother (the monster’s, that is), and a dragon; and of abbot Ælfric and archbishop Wulfstan, who preached in English for those who could not understand Latin, the official language of the medieval church.
We will begin with some easy prose readings (the story of Adam and Eve from Genesis, and a school dialogue about Anglo-Saxon “career choices”), and as you gradually master the basics of Old English grammar we will work our way up to more literary narrative prose such as Bede’s story of Cædmon’s miraculous transformation from cowherd to poet; King Alfred’s manifesto on education reform; and Ælfric’s story of the martyrdom of King Edmund, slain by Vikings invaders (featuring Edmund's decapitated talking head). Then in the second half of the semester we will read some of the finest shorter Old English poems, including The Wanderer and The Seafarer, two elegiac poems of exile; The Battle of Maldon, recounting the heroic defeat of an English army by the Vikings; The Dream of the Rood, a mystical vision of the Crucifixion, as told by the Cross; and The Wife’s Lament, about a woman abandoned by her former lover. Along the way we will learn about aspects of Anglo-Saxon history, culture, and art.
MDVL 414 Petrarch & Boccaccio
credit: 3 OR 4 hours.
Same as CWL 414 and ITAL 414. See ITAL 414.
39453 / Lecture- Discussion / D / 11:00 AM - 12:20 PM / MW / 1022 - Foreign Languages BuildingInstructor: E. Stoppino
This course explores Boccaccio’s collection of tales, calledDecameron,following the adventures of star-crossed lovers and inveterate sinners, ambitious merchants and licentious priests, cunning wives and clueless travelers. Through the Decameron, we will understand a crucial moment of world history, the European Middle Ages and, within it, the Mediterranean culture of circulation and contacts.
Readings and discussions in English (with dedicated readings and discussions in Italian for graduate students, majors and anyone interested).
ARTH 432 Sixteenth-Century Italian Art
credit: 3 OR 4 hours.
Painting, sculpture, and architecture in Italy from 1500 to 1580. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
64655 / Lecture- Discussion / GR / 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM / MW / 224 - Art and Design BuildingInstructor: A. Marina
This period survey will examine the oeuvres of renowned “High Renaissance” masters such as Michelangelo, Bramante, Raphael, and Palladio. Though it will focus on the cities of Rome, Venice, and Florence, it will also address cultural exchange between artists, patrons, and audiences in these capitals and the world beyond.
MDVL 440 Early Christian Thought
credit: 3 OR 4 hours.
Same as RLST 440. See RLST 440. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: RLST 121 or RLST 202, or consent of instructor.
55887 / Lecture- Discussion / U3, G4 / 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM / MWFStudy of major developments in early Christian thought (first four centuries) through discussion of primary texts in translation.
MDVL 443 The Byzantine Empire AD 284-717
credit: 3 OR 4 hours.
Same as HIST 443. See HIST 443.
46628 / Lecture- Discussion / U3, G4 / 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM / TR / 315 - Gregory HallInstructor: R. Mathisen
The course will examine the political, social, economic, military, institutional, religious and cultural development of the Early Byzantine Empire focusing on the reigns of Diocletian (AD 284-305) through the Heraclian Dynasty (AD 610-717).
ANTH 449 North American Archeology
credit: 3 OR 4 hours.
40279 / Lecture / 1G / 09:00 AM - 11:50 AM / M / 209A - Davenport HallMethods, techniques, and results of archaeology in North America; focuses on divergent approaches to the regional archaeology of North America; and surveys and synthesizes the archaeology of the subcontinent. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: ANTH 220 or consent of instructor.
ANTH 459 The Ancient Maya