Jumble of books, artifacts, musical instruments, and textiles in a paneled room with a stone fireplace and stained glass window.

Center for Premodern Studies

The Center for Premodern Studies (CPS) champions the importance of historical perspective in understanding human experience, offering insights into today's social and environmental challenges. CPS fosters research spanning the ancient, medieval, and early modern worlds and encourages scholarship that transcends boundaries of time, geography, and methodology.

Astronomical diagram featuring curved lines and numeric markings, circa 13th century. Part of the James Ford Bell Library Collection.

Funding Opportunities

Image compilation: Minneapolis students interact with CPS educational materials during a classroom visit.

Medieval Books in the Schools

Hands hanging hand-dyed paper to dry in front of a window.

Research Workshops and Reading Groups

Recent News

Side-by-side collage of Gilbert Tostevin & Lydia Garver's headshots smiling at the camera outdoors

Gilbert Tostevin & Lydia Garver named project leaders for The Liberal Artisan

A grant from the University of Minnesota Institute for Advanced Study will be used to establish The Liberal Artisan, a Research and Creative Collaborative.

Summer Funding Opportunities

The Center for Premodern Studies supports fellowships for graduate students. Applications are due on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Apply for an Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship

Applications due to CPS by October 13th!

Early Modern Dutch still life painting of books, letters, a globe, and musical instruments

Call for Research Workshops

Develop collaborative research and scholarship by starting a Research Workshop with the Center for Premodern Studies. Apply by October 3, 2025.

Professor standing behind a printed map of the world. Fair attendee stands nearby looking at map.

Minnesota State Fair and CLA 2025

Come see us at the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Learn about the programs and people who make liberal arts a world of possibilities.