Medieval History at UWA
Geographically speaking, Australia is part of Asia, but in many ways Australia is still heavily influenced by our old European links.
Those links are still popular as a field of study in humanities; so much so that the discipline of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) is now available as a Bachelor of Arts course.
From 2006, MEMS will offer units for students to major in the field, and a Masters by coursework in Medieval and Early Modern Studies for those wishing to do further studies.
New units to be offered in 2006 or 2007 as core units for a major in MEMS include Mysticism, Melancholy and Madness; Identity and Difference in Europe; and Humanism, Religion and Science.
They explore the culture and history of Europe between the fifth and eighth centuries from a variety of perspectives, including history, literature, Latin culture, visual arts, philosophy and archaeology.
"We plan to possibly offer the Humanism, Religion and Science unit to Medicine students," A/Professor Yasmin Haskell (course co-ordinator) said.
"We have very good researchers here and we are keen to deliver their research through our teaching programs, across disciplines."
The new Master of Arts in Medieval and Early Modern Studies will run two core seminars to introduce students to major skills and themes, including palaeography (ancient forms of writing), diplomatics, literature and legend, pre-modern ideas of science, medicine, religions and the family, early modern economy and trade.
Students will then follow individual interests through other specialised seminars and a major project.
There are plans for establishing international links so that, by 2007, MEMS Masters students will be able to do part of their course in Europe and international students can do part of their studies here.
