Mission

The mission of the Center for Medieval Studies (CMS) at the University of Minnesota is to be a recognized local and international leader in the interdisciplinary research and teaching of all aspects of the Middle Ages (circa 500-1500 CE). To support this mission, CMS offers interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate minors, drawing upon the expertise of thirty-one faculty members from twelve departments/units at the Twin Cities campus and seven departments on other UMN campuses (Morris and Duluth). CMS fosters an internationally recognized interdisciplinary research environment of high excellence, through a wide variety of regular and ad hoc activities, including visiting lecturers, research workshops and work-in-progress symposia, conferences, academic reading groups, postdoctoral visitors, and publications. CMS works closely with interdisciplinary UMN units that complement its strength: e.g., the Center for Early Modern History (CEMH; housed within the History Department), the James Ford Bell Library, the Program in Religious Studies, the Center for Jewish Studies; it also works closely with many core CLA departments such as history; English; French and Italian; German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch; Spanish and Portuguese; classical and near eastern studies; anthropology; music; and art history.