Course Offerings
The University of New Mexico offers undergraduate and graduate courses focused on the medieval period in History, English, Art History, the Honors College, Anthropology, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and more! Like the Institute itself, the courses offered range by theme, geography, and time period, and are often taught through an interdisciplinary lens. To enroll, search for the courses listed below within MyUNM and the registration portal.
Course Offerings for Fall 2025:
History Department
History 1190-001: The Medieval World
Dr. Timothy Graham, Face-to-face, TTh 11:00-12:15, CRN 69615
This course offers a broad orientation to Western culture during the Middle Ages by surveying the history, literature, art, and spirituality of the West during the thousand-year period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the eve of the Renaissance. This was an especially fertile epoch during which there evolved ideas, institutions, and forms of cultural expression of enduring importance, many of them still influential today. Far from being a long interlude of darkness and stagnation separating Antiquity from the Renaissance, the Middle Ages were a time of vibrant transformation, of innovative developments in many areas of human endeavor. Yet, while medieval men and women sowed the seeds for changes whose impact can still be detected today, medieval habits of thought and action differed in fundamental ways from those of our contemporary world. This course will highlight, investigate, and seek to explain what is most typical and most significant in the culture of the Middle Ages through a multi-faceted approach focusing on a broad range of texts and artifacts. The course will introduce students to several of the great vernacular works of the Middle Ages, including Beowulf, The Song of Roland, Dante’s Divine Comedy, and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales; will cover such key topics as the evolution of rulership and the beginnings of parliamentary democracy; and will provide an orientation to major cultural breakthroughs, including the evolution of the manuscript book, the origins of the university system of education, and the development of the architecture of Gothic cathedrals. The overall aim of the course is to provide a well-rounded assessment and evaluation of the most significant developments during this rich historical period.
History 300-002: Playing the Medieval Past
Dr. Caleb Richardson, Face-to-face, MWF 10:00-10:50, CRN 73805
History 303-001: The Early Middle Ages [undergraduate]
History 503-001: The Early Middle Ages [graduate]
Dr. Sarah Davis-Secord, Face-to-face, TTH 9:30-10:45, CRN 80135
In 476 the last western Roman emperor was deposed, but the transition from the world of the Roman Empire to that of the early Middle Ages had already begun. During these centuries, Europe and the Mediterranean world were fundamentally transformed by the breakdown of the structures of the Roman Empire and by the rise of new and distinctive cultures in Latin Europe, Byzantium, and the Islamic world. Rather than being a time of darkness or decay, the early medieval period was one of vibrancy and the growth of new institutions, cultures, and religious traditions. This course will follow the birth and development of the three cultures of Europe, Byzantium, and Islam from the late-Roman period through the year 1000. Topics will include the spread of institutional Christianity from Constantine to the early medieval papacy, the rise of the Franks and the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire, and the development of characteristically “medieval” forms of social and political organization, religion, art, and architecture in Europe. We will also highlight the transformation of the Eastern Roman Empire at Constantinople into medieval Byzantium, and the relationship between the West and the East of Christendom. The course will also cover the birth and spread of Islam and the society and culture of the first two Sunni dynasties, the rise of a rival Sunni caliphate in Iberia, and the foundation of a Shi’ite state based in Cairo. Questions we will consider include those of how to define the “Middle Ages,” the utility of this definition for our understanding of history, continuity versus discontinuity between Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages, the relationships between these three “heirs of Rome,” and how medieval European civilization related to the societies on its borders.
History 318-001: Spain and Portugal to 1700 [undergraduate]
History 518-001: Spain and Portugal to 1700 [graduate]
Dr. Michael Ryan, Face-to-face, TTH 12:30-1:45, CRN 80133
“Spain is different” was the slogan used by the caudillo Francisco Franco to encourage tourism to Spain in the 1970s, as the country had been effectively isolated by the international community due to Franco’s fascist rule. The slogan was designed to evoke the “exotic” qualities of Spain and its history. Of course, this elided the historical nuances of centuries’ worth of encounter and exchange among the many peoples--particularly Christian, Jews, and Muslims--who called the peninsula home in the premodern past. In this class, we’ll study the history of Spain and Portugal until roughly the end of the 17th century. Among some of the many themes investigated will be the waves of settlers of the peninsula, the formation of the Iberian kingdoms, social and cultural exchanges among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and cultural and intellectual innovations.
History 395-003: Medieval Masterpieces [undergraduate]
History 595-002: Medieval Masterpieces [graduate]
Dr. Timothy Graham, Face-to-face, TTh 2:00-3:15, CRN 79014
In this class we will examine in detail some of the greatest masterpieces created during the European Middle Ages, focusing on about a dozen of the most celebrated cultural products made between 700 and 1500 CE. These items span history, literature, art, architecture, and manuscript production. We will also investigate the specific techniques used by medieval craftsmen as they made handwritten books, painted frescoes, set mosaics in place, and constructed huge buildings like the great medieval cathedrals. We will typically spend two classes on each masterpiece discussed, with the first class of each pair dedicated to an in-depth lecture on the specific work and the second class centered upon student responses: students will identify and discuss the work’s key features and will produce brief in-class written evaluations of the work. Each student will also select one work on which to write a detailed research paper, to be submitted at the end of the semester; students will develop this research project in consultation with the instructor. Specific items covered in the course will include (among others): the Book of Kells, a masterpiece of Celtic manuscript art from around the year 800; the Bayeux Tapestry, which is the greatest work of medieval textile art, depicting the Battle of Hastings in 1066; the mosaics of Norman Sicily, which attest to the cultural diversity of Sicily while under Norman rule in the twelfth century; the architecture, sculpture, and stained glass of Chartres Cathedral, perhaps the most spiritual of the great Gothic cathedrals; the mystical writings of Hildegard of Bingen, which include remarkable depictions of the visions she experienced throughout her life; Magna Carta, the most important medieval constitutional document, issued by King John of England in 1215; Dante’s Divine Comedy, the greatest literary work of the Middle Ages, which describes Dante’s visit to the three realms of the afterlife, Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise; and Giotto’s cycle of frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi, from his renunciation of the material world to his receiving the stigmata. The central goal of the course is to provide students with a deep immersion in the richest cultural accomplishments of the Middle Ages while situating each item within its deep historical context.
History 395-004: The Living and the Undead
Emily Heimerman, Face-to-face, TTH 3:30-4:45, CRN 80853
What happens when we die? Are ghosts real? Can we talk to the dead? Can we bring the dead back to life? These and many other questions will be tackled in “The Living and the Undead.” Our class, which will focus on premodern European and Mediterranean societies, introduces undergraduate students to a variety of primary and secondary sources concerning the living, the dying, the dead, saints, angels, demons, jinn, ghosts, witches, monsters, fairies, and the mysterious undead. Through these figures, students will also explore the physical and metaphorical spaces of tombs, cemeteries, catacombs, places of worship, wildernesses, Sheol, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, the underworld, and the “in between” zones. By the end of the course, students will then turn to our modern world, comparing these premodern worldviews with contemporary religious traditions, legends, folklore, and popular culture.
English Department
English 2120-003: Intermediate Composition: Medieval Monsters
Sydney Brazil, Face-to-face, MWF 11:00-11:50
The definition of what makes a “monster” shifts between different cultures and time periods. This course will explore the cultural influences of the construction of monstrosity and the differing presentations of monstrosity in medieval literature. In this class, we will draw on Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Theory: Reading Culture to define and explore medieval monstrosity, as well as to see how medieval monstrosity subverts or contrasts with Cohen’s assertions. Students will read a variety of texts from medieval literature, examine how definitions of monstrosity reveal the anxieties of a culture, and engage with modern representations of these monsters to supplement the material.
English 2630-001: British Literature I
TBA, Face-to-face, MWF 12:00-12:50
This course is a survey of literary works produced in Britain from the early Middle Ages to the close of the 18th century. Readings include the epic Beowulf, the romance Sir Orfeo, medieval and Renaissance drama, the poetry of John Donne, Eliza Haywood’s novel Fantomina and the memoir of Olaudah Equiano. The goal of the course is both to gain an understanding of the development of literary forms and traditions as well as to put texts into conversation with each other in order to gain a sense of both the history and the variety of human experience.
English 305-001: Mythology
Dr. Nicholas Schwartz, TTH 9:30-10:45, Face-to-face
English 349-001: Beowulf to Arthur
Dr. Lisa Myers, MWF 10:00-10:50, Face-to-face
This course is designed as an introductory survey to the literary works produced in England in the Middle Ages, c. 700-1500. While most texts will be read in Modern English translations, class lectures will provide some background on the development of the English language. The class will focus on both the specialized terminology and literary devices particular to medieval English texts as well as the cultural, social and political factors that influenced the development of English literature. Readings will introduce students to a wide variety of medieval genres and will include: epic, lyric poetry, romance, mystical revelation, hagiography, and outlaw tale.
English 352-001: Early Shakespeare
Dr. Lisa Myers, MWF 9:00-9:50, Face-to-face
This course covers the Elizabethan-era works of William Shakespeare. In examining his drama and poetry, the course will focus on the various conventions of the sub-genres of comedy, history and tragedy. Students will gain familiarity with the early works of Shakespeare and an understanding of the Early Modern theater as well as the importance of Shakespeare’s dramatic innovations. Texts include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Richard III, Richard II, Henry V, Titus Andronicus, and Hamlet.
English 445-001: History of English Language
Dr. Nicholas Schwartz, MWF 11:00-11:50, Face-to-face
Ever wonder where “bad words” come from? Have you ever looked at a passage from Chaucer or Shakespeare and wondered why everything seems misspelled? This course is for you! The English language has a long and fascinating history, but to many people the most ancient form of English—Old English—looks practically nothing like the Present-day English we are all familiar with today. Have no fear! This course will trace the development of the English language from its very earliest Indo-European beginnings all the way up to the present. Students will learn about important historical and linguistic influences on English and develop skills for analysis and an appreciation of the English language. No previous experience with linguistics or Old or Middle English is needed for this course. All are welcome.
English 451-001: Medieval Latin [undergraduate]
English 551-001: Medieval Latin [graduate]
Dr. Jonathan Davis-Secord, MWF 1:00-1:50, Face-to-face
The phrase “medieval Latin” covers a wide array of times, genres, and areas. It applies to philosophical treatises written in Italy in the fifth century, letters written in northern Europe in the ninth century, and saints’ lives written in England in the fifteenth century. As a result of this abundance, this course will touch upon only a small number of important texts and authors from the medieval period. We will concentrate on sections of these texts to allow students to become familiar with major texts and authors of Medieval Latin and increase their facility with Latin generally and their knowledge of the distinguishing features of Medieval Latin specifically. Prerequisite: familiarity with Latin grammar and syntax.
English 451-001: Uppity Medieval Women [undergraduate]
English 551-001: Uppity Medieval Women [graduate]
Dr. Anita Obermeier, Th 4:00-6:30, Face-to-face
This course examines medieval discourses about women and by women. Even though many dichotomous labels exist for women in the Middle Ages—such as saint and sinner, virgin and whore—these belie the variety of subcategories within the spheres of medieval women: handmaidens to God, virgin saints, mystics, anchoresses, trobairitz, courtly ladies, ethereal dolce stil nuovo women, bourgeois merchants, lovers, witches, writers, and fighters. The course explores female characters penned by male authors and works written by medieval women. Women in the Middle Ages can be “uppity” in a number of ways but especially through sword, pen, and sex. For instance, female authorship is a transgressive act. We examine the ways the writings of medieval women differ from works by men, both in British and continental literary texts. For the theoretical framework, we apply medieval authorship theories, ancient and medieval gender theories, and modern feminist approaches. Authors and texts may include, but are not limited to, Sappho, Ovid’s Heroides, trobaritz poetry, Lais of Marie de France, The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, Julian of Norwich, Celtic Women, the Virgin Mary, Christina of Markyate, Margery Kempe, Hildegard of Bingen, Mechthild of Magdeburg, The Roman de Silence, Chaucer, Boccaccio, Christine de Pizan, The Condemnation Trial of Joan of Arc, and the Malleus Maleficarum.
Art History Department
Art History 2110-001: History of Art 1
Dr. Justine Andrews, Face-to-face, TTH 12:20-1:45, CRN 74862
This survey course explores the art and architecture of ancietn pre-historic cultures through the end of the fourteenth century. Focused on art from diverse global contxts, this course will provide insights into the artworks of global cultures in order to provide alternative views of art and history. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship of artworks to political, social, spiritual, intellectual, and cultural movements that affect and are affected by their creation and development. Through both course lectures and first-hand enagaments with works of art and visual culture, students will learn how to evaluate evidence and visual information, situate works of art in cultural and historic contexts, and apply basic art historical methods of visual analysis.
Art History 431-002: Byzantine Art & Architecture [undergraduate]
Art History 531-001: Byzantine Art & Architecture [graduate]
Dr. Justine Andrews, TTh 9:30-10:45, Face-to-face, CRN 80330
This course will explore the worship and display of art and architecture from the Byzantine Empire with a specific emphasis on the cross-cultural connections among Byzantium, Medieval Europe, the Islamic world, and the Armenian Kingdom.
Religious Studies Department
Religion 1110: Introduction to World Religions
Religion 1120: Intro Bible
Religion 2110: Eastern Religions
Religion 2120: Western Religions
Religion 313: Islamic Fundimentalism
Religion 347: Various Topics
Various Faculty, Virual and Face-to-face
To see specific times, dates, and professors, click here for more information!
Honors College
Various Faculty, undergraduate course offerings
For a full list of Honors College courses, professors, and times, click here!
Languages, Cultures, and Literatures
Various Faculty, undergraduate and graduate course offerings
For a full list of LCL courses, professors, and times, click here!
Music Department
Colleen Sheinberg, Medieval and Renaissance, Early Music Ensembles, Music History
For information about medieval music, email Colleen Sheinberg! Click here for her contact information!
Anthropology Department
Various Faculty, undergraduate and graduate course offerings
For a full list of Anthropology courses, professors, and times, click here!
Philosophy Department
Various Faculty, with undergraduate and graduate course offerings
For a full list of philosophy courses, professors, and times, click here!
