2009-2010 Undergraduate Calendar

Medieval and Renaissance Studies  
Director Mathew Martin Adjunct Professor André Basson (Campus Ministries) Participating Faculty Lynn Arner (Women's Studies), Michael J. Carter (Classics), Fanny Dolansky (Classics), Corrado Federici (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures) Rosemary Hale (History), Mathew Martin (English Language and Literature), R. Andrew McDonald (History), Carol Merriam (Classics), Behnaz Mirzai (History), Catherine Parayre (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Brian Power (Music), Virginia Reh (Dramatic Arts), Felipe Ruan (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Elizabeth Sauer (English Language and Literature), David Schimmelpenninck (History), Angus Somerville (English Language and Literature), Ernesto Virgulti (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures) Academic Adviser Liz Kaethler  
General Information Go to top of document
Administrative Assistant Cathy Bouwers 905-688-5550, extension 5325 573 Glenridge 248 The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies offers an interdisciplinary program focused on the period from Late Antiquity to the 17th century. Faculty and courses are drawn from many different disciplines within the University emphasizing the interrelations among art, architecture, history, music and literature. The program encourages the study of Medieval and Renaissance culture(s) across disciplinary boundaries. Course offerings and faculty interests range from the last centuries of the Roman world to Renaissance Italy, from Byzantium to Iceland, and from the reading of Latin literature to the analysis of Chaucer, Dante and Shakespeare among many others, as well as the music and art of the period. The Middle Ages and Renaissance are instrumental in shaping the cultures in which we live. The interdisciplinary understanding of how Medieval and Renaissance cultures worked will illustrate their legacy to us, and their importance in shaping who and what we are. The program seeks to develop the skills and habits of critical inquiry, analysis, argument and expression needed for the rigorous treatment of these questions. The Centre advises students to have their programs reviewed each year by the Faculty of Humanities Undergraduate Adviser and/or the Director. Students planning to enter fourth year are required to have their programs approved by the Faculty of Humanities Undergraduate Adviser as well as the Director. Students considering graduate work in Medieval and/or Renaissance Studies should note that graduate programs normally require competence in Latin and other languages depending on the specific area of study.  
Language Requirement for Humanities Majors Go to top of document
Students in the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies are required to complete one credit in a language other than English. Where half-credit courses are used to satisfy the requirements, both half-credits must be in the same language. It is recommended that students satisfy this requirement by year 2. Latin is strongly recommended.  
Program Notes Go to top of document
1.  Honours students must complete 5.0 credits from the list of approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses. Pass students must complete 4.0 credits from the list of approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses.  
2.  Students may take 1.0 credit from ENGL 4V00-4V09 as an approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies credit requirement. Students must contact the Director or Academic Adviser before registering for these courses, to ensure they meet the MARS program criteria.  
3.  Students intending to participate in MARS 3F50 must complete an application package that will be available through the MARS office. Application deadlines will be determined on an annual basis.  
4. 

In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

 
Honours Program Go to top of document
Year 1
- MARS 1F90
- one language credit other than English (see language requirement)
- one Sciences context credit
- one Social Sciences context credit
- one elective credit
Year 2
- MARS 2P90 and 2P91
- two credits from MARS 3P51, 3P52, 3P55, 3P56, the list of approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses (see program notes 1, 2 and 3)
- two elective credits
Year 3
- MARS 2P92 and 3P90
- two credits from MARS 3P51, 3P52, 3P55, 3P56, the list of approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses (see program notes 1, 2 and 3)
- two elective credits (see program note 2)
Year 4 Thesis option:
- MARS 4P80, 4P81, 4P98 and 4P99
- one credit from MARS 3P51, 3P52, 3P55, 3P56, the list of approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses or MARS 3V90-99
- two elective credits (see program note 2)
Course Work option:
- MARS 4P80 and 4P81
- one credit from MARS 3V90-99
- one credit from the list of approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies courses (see program notes 1, 2 and 3)
- two elective credits (see program note 2)
 
Pass Program Go to top of document
Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles students to apply for a Pass degree.  
Approved Medieval and Renaissance Studies Courses Offered by Other Departments/Centres Go to top of document
Note: As many of the courses listed below have prerequisites, students should plan their programs in advance CLAS 1P92 Roman Civilization CLAS 1P93 Culture and Civilization of Central Europe: From the Prehistoric to the Carolingian Period (also offered as GERM 1P93) CLAS 3P10 History of the Early Roman Empire CLAS 3P23 Art and Architecture of Rome in the Imperial Age (also offered as VISA 3P23) CLAS 3M20-3M29 Study in Mediterranean Lands (also offered as VISA 3M20-3M29) DART 3P91 Shakespeare in Performance ENGL 2P19 Chaucer: The Poetry ENGL 2P21 Sixteenth Century Literature ENGL 2P24 Early 17th Century Literature ENGL 2P80 Shakespeare 1590-1603 ENGL 2P81 Shakespeare 1603-1614 (also offered as LART 2P81) ENGL 2P82 Shakespeare's Comedies (also offered as LART 2P82) ENGL 2P83 Shakespeare's Tragedies (also offered as LART 2P83) ENGL 2P84 Non-Shakespearean Drama in England, 1576-1642 ENGL 2V22 Women Writers of Medieval England (also offered as WISE 2V22) ENGL 3P20 Spenser and the Age of Elizabeth ENGL 3P22 The Literature of Milton's Time ENGL 3P91 Introduction to Anglo-Saxon ENGL 3P92 Anglo-Saxon Poetry ENGL 3P95 Romance and Visionary Literature of the late Middle Ages ENGL 3P96 Old Norse: Language and Literature I ENGL 3P97 Old Norse: Language and Literature II HIST 2F80 History of Science HIST 2P03 Early Medieval Britain 400-1000: Celts, Saxons and Vikings (also offered as IASC 2P03) HIST 2P04 Medieval Britain 1000-1485: The Four Nations (also offered as IASC 2P04) HIST 2P25 Revolutions in Communication (also offered as IASC 2P25) HIST 2P70 The Middle East, 600-1800 HIST 2P91 Europe's Reformations, 1450-1650 HIST 2P96 Early Russia HIST 3P30 The Viking Age HIST 3P60 The World of Genghis Khan: Inner Asia since 500 BC (also offered as INTC 3P60) HIST 3Q93 The Crusades HIST 4V29 Wallace, Bruce and the Wars of Scotland 1286-1346 LATI 1F00 Language (Introductory) LATI 2F00 Language and Literature MUSI 4P50 History of Music in the Middle Ages MUSI 4P51 History of Music in the Renaissance MUSI 4P55 History of Music and Liturgy to 1600 MUSI 4P96 Topics in the History of Theory: Renaissance and Baroque  
Description of Courses Go to top of document
Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details. # Indicates a cross listed course * Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course  
Prerequisites and Restrictions Go to top of document
Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. MARS 1F90 Medieval and Renaissance Civilizations Key themes, problems and topics in Medieval and Renaissance civilizations, including: the development of concepts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance; notions of decline, renewal, rebirth and reformation in the West; sources and methods of inquiry. Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week. *MARS 2P90 Beowulf to Boccaccio: Great Books and Writers of the Middle Ages (also offered as LART 2P90) Major medieval writers and selections from their works. Writers include the Beowulf poet, Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Chaucer and Christine de Pisan. Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week. Restriction: open to MARS, GBLS and LART majors until date specified in Registration guide. Prerequisite(s): one of MARS 1F90, LART 1F90, (GBLS) 1F93, one Humanities context credit or permission of the Director. MARS 2P91 Castle, Cathedral and Manor: Medieval Architecture and Society Relationship of trends in military, religious, domestic, urban and monumental architecture of the Middle Ages to changes in medieval society; the relationship of medieval architecture and art to thought. Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week. Restriction: open to MARS majors until date specified in Registration guide. Prerequisite(s): MARS 1F90, one Humanities context credit or permission of the Director. #MARS 2P92 Early to High Renaissance Art and Architecture (also offered as ITAL 2P92 and VISA 2P92) Major monuments, buildings and art works of the period from several critical perspectives including the humanist influence on the arts in Florence and Rome, the issue of patronage and the question of the artist's cultural status. Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week. Prerequisite(s): one of MARS 1F90, ITAL 1F90, VISA 1Q98 and 1Q99 or permission of the instructor. Note: given in English. Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in VISA (ITAL) 2P40. MARS 3F50 Heritage of Viking and Medieval Iceland Heritage, literary culture, manuscripts and environment of the Viking age and medieval Iceland, c. 870-1300. Visits to historic, heritage and saga sites. Restriction: students must have a minimum of 10.0 overall credits or permission of the Director. Note: offered in Iceland. Students must apply prior to registering through the Centre. Application deadlines will be determined on an annual basis. Students are expected to pay their own expenses. MARS 3P51 International Field Course I Intensive field course of relevance to Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Restriction: Permission of the Director. Prerequisite(s): MARS 1F90 Note: Consult the Centre prior to registration. Students are expected to cover all their own expenses. MARS 3P52 International Field Course II Intensive field course of relevance to Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Restriction: Permission of the Director. Prerequisite(s): MARS 1F90 Note: Consult the Centre prior to registration. Students are expected to cover all their own expenses. MARS 3P55 Directed Studies I Topics and readings to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member who is willing to supervise the student. Restriction: open to MARS majors who hold a minimum 75 percent major average, permission of the Director and instructor. Prerequisite(s): four MARS credits. MARS 3P56 Directed Studies II Topics and readings to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member who is willing to supervise the student. Restriction: open to MARS majors who hold a minimum 75 percent major average, permission of the Director and instructor. Prerequisite(s): four MARS credits. *MARS 3P90 Prose and Poetry of the Renaissance (also offered as LART 3P90) Themes and style in the works of 15th- and 16th-century continental writers; humanism and philosophical treatises; realism and classicism; Petrarchan ideal in lyric poetry; quérelle des anciens et des modernes; imitation and originality; the status of the vernacular. Authors may include Machiavelli, Castiglione, Ariosto, Pico, Valla, Ficino, Erasmus, the Plaeiade poets, Rabelais, and Montaigne. Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week. Restriction: open to MARS, GBLS and LART majors until date specified in Registration guide. Prerequisite(s): one of MARS 1F90, LART 1F90, (GBLS) 1F93 or permission of the Director. MARS 3V90-3V95 Themes in Medieval-Renaissance Civilizations Seminar, 3 hours per week. MARS 3V91 2009-2010: Ideas, Artistic Traditions and the Formation of Late Medieval European Societies (1200-1550) The articulation of cultural values and ideas in theatre, visual arts, rhetoric, architecture and music, and their dissemination through formal and informal networks of social, religious, political and professional interaction. Seminar, 3 hours per week. Restriction: open to MARS majors until date specified in Registration guide. Prerequisite(s): two MARS credits or permission of the Director. MARS 3V96-3V99 Problems in Medieval-Renaissance Civilizations Seminar, 3 hours per week. MARS 4P80 End of the Ancient World and the Making of the Middle Ages Transformation of the Roman world between the third and ninth centuries from a variety of critical perspectives, emphasizing recent historical and archaeological work. Restriction: students must have a minimum 70 percent major average and approval to year 4 (honours). MARS 4P81 The Cross Goes North Conversion of Europe to Christianity as a significant theme in the history of the first millennium and the development of Medieval European culture. Processes in the conversion of the so-called barbarian peoples of northern Europe between about 500 and 1000. Seminar, 3 hours per week. Restriction: students must have a minimum 70 percent major average and approval to year 4 (honours). MARS 4P98 Honours Seminar in Medieval and Renaissance Studies Critical approaches to Medieval and Renaissance studies from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. Seminar, 3 hours per week. Restriction: students must have a minimum 75 percent major average and approval to year 4 (honours). MARS 4P99 Honours Thesis Major project in Medieval and Renaissance Studies on a topic of mutual interest to the student and instructor. Restriction: students must have a minimum 75 percent major average and approval to year 4 (honours).  
Last updated: January 8, 2014 @ 01:30PM