Medieval Studies (MEDVL)Arts and Sciences

Showing 24 results.

Course descriptions provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - October 15, 2026 7:07PM EDT

MEDVL 1101
FWS: Aspects of Medieval Culture

Topics and reading lists vary from section to section, but all will in some way address the subject of medieval culture. Consult the John S. Knight Institute Current Courses webpage to access current year ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • Topic: FWS:Medieval Images—Art, Experience, and Debate

  •  3001 MEDVL 1101   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Emmons, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • Topic: FWS: Premodern Sense and Sensation

  •  3002 MEDVL 1101   SEM 102

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Gunning, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • Topic: FWS: Conjuring Horror in the Premodern

  •  3003 MEDVL 1101   SEM 103

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Randle, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • Topic: FWS: Kingship and Failure

  •  3004 MEDVL 1101   SEM 104

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Solly, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

MEDVL 1740
Imperial China

This course explores the history of imperial China between the 3rd century b.c.e. and the 16th century c.e. with a focus on the following questions: How did imperial Chinese states go about politically ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: ASIAN 2740, CAPS 1740, HIST 1740

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 10340 MEDVL 1740   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Hinrichs, T

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 10341 MEDVL 1740   DIS 201

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 10342 MEDVL 1740   DIS 202

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 10343 MEDVL 1740   DIS 203

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 10344 MEDVL 1740   DIS 204

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2170
Early Modern Iberian Survey

This course explores major texts and themes of the Hispanic tradition from the 11th to the 17th centuries. We will examine general questions on literary analysis and the relationship between literature ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: LATA 2170, SPAN 2170

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8396 MEDVL 2170   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Olmedo Gobante, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2345
Jerusalem: The Holy City

In this class, students are introduced to the broad scope of the city of Jerusalem’s political and religious history from its origins until today. Some topics the class covers include: the Jebusite origins ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 15387 MEDVL 2345   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Mokhtarian, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2355
Introduction to Medieval Art and Culture

Survey lecture course covering the creation, encoding, and reception of Medieval (roughly AD 500-1500) European, Byzantine, and Islamic architecture, ornament, manuscripts, liturgical and luxury objects. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: ARTH 2355

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5192 MEDVL 2355   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Robinson, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  5193 MEDVL 2355   DIS 201

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Robinson, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  5194 MEDVL 2355   DIS 202

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Robinson, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2533
Spain to Seixas:Jews, Judaisms, and Early Modern Europe

Immerse yourself in the essential Jewish movers and moments of Early Modern Europe. Catch the usual headlines (Expulsion! Atheism! Finance!) and headliners like Spinoza, Tzvi, or Baal Shem Tov. Stay tuned ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 2533, RELST 2533

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15379 MEDVL 2533   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • van den Arend, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2727
The Queer Middle East

What does it mean to be queer in the Middle East? How do queer Muslims and Arabs navigate their sexuality around contemporary legal barriers to same-sex sexual intercourse and social disapprobation? How ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 15390 MEDVL 2727   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Lawrence, J

      Tolan-Szkilnik, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2737
AI Before AI: From Automata to Thinking Machines

This course introduces the prehistory of “artificial intelligence” (AI), from ancient automata through medieval combinatorics to early modern calculating machines. Putting contemporary debates into historical ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 2727, GERST 2727

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7780 MEDVL 2737   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Born, E

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 2750
Introduction to Humanities

These seminars offer an introduction to the humanities by exploring historical, cultural, social, and political themes. Students will explore themes in critical dialogue with a range of texts and media ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 17079 MEDVL 2750   SEM 102

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Rabedeau, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For course description, see https://as.cornell.edu/research/hsp-core-courses.

MEDVL 3080
Icelandic Family Sagas

An introduction to Old Norse-Icelandic mythology and the Icelandic family saga-the native heroic literary genre of Icelandic tradition. Texts will vary but will normally include the Prose Edda, the Poetic ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ENGL 3080, HIST 3008

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8085 MEDVL 3080   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Falk, O

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 3120
Beowulf

Beowulf has received renewed attention in popular culture, thanks to the production of recent movies and riveting new translations. The poem's popular appeal lies in its complex depictions of monsters, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ENGL 3120, ENGL 6120, MEDVL 6120

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7620 MEDVL 3120   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Zacher, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 3212
Philosophy in the Islamic World (800-1400)

An introduction to some of the major thinkers and philosophical developments in the Islamic world from the 9th to the 14th centuries CE. Figures include Muslim thinkers such as Al-Kindi, Al-Razi, Al-Farabi, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: NES 3212, PHIL 3212

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14999 MEDVL 3212   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 3316
Old Norse II

The purpose of this course is to further develop the elementary reading skills acquired in Old Norse I. We will review some of the grammar from Old Norse I, cover additional grammar, and, through a primary ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: LING 3316

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8005 MEDVL 3316   LEC 001

  •  
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Hauksdottir, H

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 3539
Islamic Spain: Culture and Society

This course examines the culture and society of al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) from 711, when Islam arrived in Iberia, until 1492 and the demise of Nasrid Granada. Through extensive discussion and analysis ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15287 MEDVL 3539   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Brann, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 3724
Death and the Afterlife in Islam

What happens after death? If there is an Afterlife, how is it connected to earthly life? What would the Afterlife actually look like? What role does God or Satan play in the Afterlife? Since the earliest ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15361 MEDVL 3724   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Lawrence, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 4002
Latin Philosophical Texts

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: PHIL 4002, RELST 4100

  • 1-2 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14906 MEDVL 4002   SEM 101

  •  
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 4557
Desert Monasticism

How and why do landscapes come to inspire the religious imagination? And why do religious practices, rituals, traditions, and beliefs take place in particular landscapes? This seminar treats these questions ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 15337 MEDVL 4557   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Haines-Eitzen, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 6020
Latin Philosophical Texts

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: LATIN 7262, PHIL 6020, RELST 6020

  • 1-2 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14945 MEDVL 6020   SEM 101

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

MEDVL 6102
Latin Paleography

This course is an introduction to and survey of Latin scripts from Roman antiquity through the early Renaissance, with an emphasis on the identification, localization, and reading of scripts. Class meetings ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: LATIN 7222

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8083 MEDVL 6102   SEM 101

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Hicks, A

    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Hicks, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 6120
Beowulf

Beowulf has received renewed attention in popular culture, thanks to the production of recent movies and riveting new translations. The poem's popular appeal lies in its complex depictions of monsters, ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ENGL 3120, ENGL 6120, MEDVL 3120

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7665 MEDVL 6120   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Zacher, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 6539
Islamic Spain: Culture and Society

This course examines the culture and society of al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) from 711, when Islam arrived in Iberia, until 1492 and the demise of Nasrid Granada. Through extensive discussion and analysis ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15292 MEDVL 6539   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Brann, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 6724
Death and the Afterlife in Islam

What happens after death? If there is an Afterlife, how is it connected to earthly life? What would the Afterlife actually look like? What role does God or Satan play in the Afterlife? Since the earliest ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15364 MEDVL 6724   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Lawrence, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

MEDVL 8010
Directed Study - Individual

This course gives students the opportunity to work with a selected instructor to pursue special interests or research not treated in regularly scheduled courses. After getting permission of the instructor, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8088 MEDVL 8010   IND 601

  •  
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Falk, O

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

MEDVL 8020
Directed Study - Group

This course should be used for an independent study in which a small group of students works with one member of the graduate faculty. After getting permission of the instructor, students should contact ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8089 MEDVL 8020   IND 601

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Galloway, A

      Hicks, A

      Hill, T

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8090 MEDVL 8020   IND 602

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Hicks, A

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)