The M.A. degree program in Medieval and Byzantine Studies offers students broad and interdisciplinary training in various components of medieval civilization, providing both perspective and tools for specialized research. The program recognizes the complex intertwining of religious studies, philosophy, history, languages, literatures, and cultures for advanced study in any field. Thus it draws upon course offerings from the School of Arts and Sciences, Canon Law, Music, Philosophy, and Theology and Religious Studies. Students must choose one of three possible regional and civilizational foci:
- The Medieval West
- Byzantine and Orthodox Studies
- The Islamic World
Permutations of these regional divisions-such as studies of borders and intersections of these areas-can also be accommodated with the approval of the MBS director. The program requires 30 hours of academic credit taken from three broad categories: History and Social Structures; Thought and Worship; and Cultural and Artistic Expressions.
Admission
Students applying to the M.A. program in MBS should have a solid foundation in one or more aspects of medieval studies and substantial training in languages (medieval and/or modern research languages). While many students come with a B.A. in history, English, languages, religious studies, and philosophy, other programs may also provide sufficient background. Promising students who lack the appropriate level of language proficiency are encouraged to complete a certificate program in Greek or Latin or other language training prior to beginning the program.
Advising
Students will have two advisers: the MBS director and a faculty adviser in the primary area of focus. The MBS director will guide students through the general requirements of the program. The second adviser — to be determined at the latest by the end of the second semester of studies — will assist in determining that the student's progress with research languages and methodology is adequate for the research focus and goals of the student.
Overview of Requirements
Course work: Ten approved graduate courses (30 credit hours) in a distribution determined by the primary area (see below). For students choosing the thesis option, two of those ten courses (6 credit-hours) will consist of thesis advising.
Academic standing: All MA candidates must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in order to continue in the program.
Language requirements:
- Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Latin, Greek, or Arabic, depending on the focus area.
- Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language.
- Competence in additional medieval languages may be required if necessary for research purposes.
Comprehensive examinations: Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser. For information about the structure of the exam click here (pdf).
Research requirement:
- Non-thesis option: Two substantive research papers submitted for review and approval by a faculty committee appointed by the MBS director.
- Thesis option: Successful completion of the M.A. thesis.
Requirements by area of focus:
-
The Medieval West
Non-Thesis Option
1. Course Work:
a) Four approved graduate courses (12 credit-hours) selected from the following three categories (no more than two from any one category): (1) History and Social Structures; (2) Thought and Worship [NB: Students are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 602: Introduction Medieval Philosophy and/or TRS 727: Introduction to Medieval Theology, unless they have already completed equivalent courses.]; (3) Cultural and Artistic Expressions.
b) Two approved graduate courses (6 credit-hours) in one or two medieval languages/literatures (Latin, Old English, Old French, etc.) and/or in palaeography/manuscript studies.
c) Four graduate courses (12 credit-hours) in the area of specialization as approved by the faculty adviser.2. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Latin as determined by examination or grade (no lower than “B”) in designated course.
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and of any medieval language(s) if required for research purposes.3. Comprehensive Examinations
Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
4. Research Requirement
Submission of two research papers completed in courses for review and approval by a committee of the MBS faculty.Thesis Option
1. Course Work
a) Four approved graduate courses (12 credit-hours) selected from the following three categories (no more than two from any one category): (1) History and Social Structures; (2) Thought and Worship [NB: Students are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 602: Introduction Medieval Philosophy and/or TRS 727: Introduction to Medieval Theology, unless they have already completed equivalent courses.]; (3) Cultural and Artistic Expressions.
b) Two approved graduate courses (6 credit-hours) in one or two medieval languages/literatures (Latin, Old English, Old French, etc.) and/or in palaeography/manuscript studies.
c) Two graduate courses (6 credit-hours) in the area of specialization as approved by the faculty adviser.
2. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Latin as determined by examination or grade (no lower than “B”) in designated course.
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and of any medieval language(s) if required for research purposes.
3. Comprehensive Examinations
Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
4. Research Requirement
M.A. thesis (6 credit-hours) supervised by faculty adviser. -
Byzantine and Orthodox Studies
Non-Thesis Option
Course Work
Five approved graduate courses (15 credit-hours) selected from the following two categories (at least one from each category):
(a) Byzantine history, history of the Christian Near East, and other medieval history;
(b) Eastern Patristic theology, Eastern liturgy, and ancient/late antique Greek Philosophy.
2. Language Course work
a) Either: The Graduate Certificate in Greek (15 credit-hours) offered through the Department of Greek and Latin at CUA
b) Or:
Three approved advanced courses (9 credit-hours) in Greek and
Two approved advanced courses (6 credit-hours) in one of the following medieval languages: Latin, Arabic, Coptic, or Syriac.
3. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Greek as determined by examination or grade (no lower than “B”) in designated course.
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and of any medieval language(s) if required for research purposes.
4. Comprehensive Examinations
Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
5. Research Requirement
Submission of two research papers completed in courses for review and approval by a committee of the MBS faculty.Thesis Option
1. Course Work (including Language Course Work)
Students are required to take a total of eight approved graduate courses (24 credit-hours) selected from the following categories:
(a) At least one course (3 credit-hours) in Byzantine history, history of the Christian Near East, or other medieval history;
(b) At least one course (3 credit-hours) in Eastern Patristic theology, Eastern liturgy, or ancient/late antique Greek Philosophy;
(c) At least three approved advanced language courses (9 credit-hours) in Greek, Latin, Arabic, Coptic, or Syriac.
The exact distribution of courses is subject to approval by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
2. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Greek as determined by examination or grade (no lower than “B”) in designated course.
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and of any medieval language(s) if required for research purposes.
3. Comprehensive Examinations
Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
4. Research Requirement
M.A. thesis (6 credit-hours) supervised by faculty adviser.
The Islamic World
Non-Thesis Option
Course Work
a) Four approved graduate courses (12 credit-hours) selected from the following three categories (no more than two from any one category): (1) History and Social Structures; (2) Thought and Worship; (3) Cultural and Artistic Expressions.
b) Two approved graduate courses (6 credit-hours) in one or two medieval Semitic languages/literatures (Arabic, Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, or Georgian) or in Greek or Latin.
c) Four graduate courses (12 credit-hours) in the area of specialization as approved by the faculty adviser.
2. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Arabic (equivalent to SEM 541-542).
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish).
3. Comprehensive Examinations
Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
4. Research Requirement
Submission of two research papers completed in courses for review and approval by a committee of the MBS faculty.
Thesis Option
1. Course Work
a) Four approved graduate courses (12 credit-hours) selected from the following three categories (no more than two from any one category): (1) History and Social Structures; (2) Thought and Worship; (3) Cultural and Artistic Expressions.
b) Two approved graduate courses (6 credit-hours) in one or two medieval Semitic languages/literatures (Arabic, Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, or Georgian) or in Greek or Latin.
c) Two graduate courses (6 credit-hours) in the area of specialization as approved by the faculty adviser.
2. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence in M.A.-level Arabic (equivalent to SEM 541-542).
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of one modern research language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish).
3. Comprehensive Examinations
Written examinations jointly administered by the MBS director and the faculty adviser.
4. Research Requirement
M.A. thesis (6 credit-hours) supervised by faculty adviser.