Reading & Research Groups

The Premodern Workshop

The Premodern Workshop is led by graduate students of the University's Premodern community and hosts a number of events, including lectures, workshops, and conferences. The workshop is a result of the merger of two past groups: Ye Olde Workshoppe and Medieval and Early Modern Research Group (MEMRG). We employ an innovative "hands behind your back" method for workshopping papers and presentations. Meetings usually take place on Fridays at 10:00 am in 1210 Heller Hall. We encourage graduate students and faculty who are interested in workshopping their papers, proposals, and project ideas to contact Chris Saladin (History) or Katherine Pierpont (History). 

Medieval Latin Reading Group

The Medieval Latin Reading Group is made up of graduate students and faculty from multiple departments. Our readings are drawn from medieval Latin texts and are selected on a rotating basis by different group members depending on their research interests. Past readings have included excerpts of the Vulgate Bible, hagiographies, vivid descriptions of the visions of Saint Hildegard, and pastourelle poetry. Last semester, we sampled from Isidore of Seville's Historia de regibus Gothorum, Vandalorum, et Suevorum. 

We always welcome new members and new reading suggestions! Texts are distributed in advance so that there is time for those who prefer to prepare translations, but the group is also open to those who wish to practice their sight-reading skills.

This semester, meetings are every other Wednesday from 4-5 pm via zoom. For more information, please contact Alex Korte at korte029@umn.edu

The Old Norse Reading Group

The Old Norse Reading Group is ideal for anyone with at least a semester of Old Norse who wants to continue to practice reading and translating in a group setting. Participants are welcome to prepare translations in advance, gloss unfamiliar vocabulary, or sight read. All skill levels are welcome! Examples of past readings include passages from Gordon’s Introduction to Old NorseHervarar saga ok Heiðreks, and Auðunar þáttr vestfirska.

Old Norse reading group will be meeting on Zoom (969 5873 6105) this semester every other Tuesday from 2-3 pm. Meetings will be held on 10/26, 11/9, 11/23, 12/7. Email soto0031@umn.edu for more information.

Classical Arabic Reading Group

The Arabic Reading Group is an interdisciplinary reading circle of graduate students and faculty who are interested in reading classical Arabic and other Arabic texts that pertain to the Middle Ages.

  • In years past, the Arabic Reading Group has read a variety of documents to accommodate the diverse specialties of its members: selections from the Qur'an, Abbasid short stories, letters from the Crusader states, medieval discourses on political theory, Arabic translations of Shakespeare, and speeches from Sadaam Hussein that hearken back to the medieval past of Iraq.

Elementary knowledge of Arabic is preferred for this group but anyone with an interest in reciting and reading the language is welcome to join! Fluency is absolutely NOT required. We are currently looking for an organizer for this reading group, if you would be interested in taking this up, please email us at cmedst@umn.edu.