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 while encouraging scholarship that transcends boundaries of time, geography, and methodology. Explore how CPS creates opportunities for students and scholars to engage with human civilization's roots.

Interactive paper astrolabe in an Early Modern navigational text.

Academics

Late 16th-century map of the Atlantic world including ships and border markings

Research

Recent News

lion mosaic wall

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.

Michael Lower

Professor Michael Lower (1971-2025): In Memoriam

The Department of History at the University of Minnesota sadly shares the news of Professor Michael Lower’s passing.

The Journal of Early Modern History is Hiring!

JEMH seeks a Graduate Assistant to serve as Assistant Editor