Lectures
Each semester, the Center for Premodern Studies (CPS) hosts and co-sponsors lectures and workshops that explore topics and questions in premodern studies. True to our commitment to the local and the global, speakers range from University of Minnesota graduate students and faculty to international scholars. Many events are open to the public.
Current Programming
Please see our Events page for information about upcoming events.
Rutherford Aris Memorial Lecture
Each spring, CPS hosts the Rutherford Aris Memorial Lecture in Medieval Communication Technologies in honor of renowned University of Minnesota paleography and chemical engineering professor Rutherford “Gus” Aris.
The lecture’s focus is “communication technologies” (codicology, paleography, early print culture, diplomatics, numismatics, epigraphy, and the digital study of manuscript culture). This focus offers an intellectual space where Digital Humanities and many of the most exciting projects utilizing the web and digital technologies meet medieval studies and scholars of the Middle Ages.
The James Ford Bell Library is an annual cosponsor of this event.
Details about the annual Aris Lecture are available on our Events page in late January.
Explore past Aris lecturers and their topics.
Support the Rutherford Aris Memorial Fund
If you’d like to make a gift, you can contribute to the Rutherford Aris Memorial Fund through the University of Minnesota Foundation.
Carl Sheppard Lecture
The Carl Sheppard Lecture is an annual medieval art history lecture in honor of the late Carl Sheppard, former University of Minnesota professor of medieval European art history. Begun in 2012 and held every fall, the Carl Sheppard Memorial Lecture in Medieval Art History is a scholarly public event.
The James Ford Bell Library is an annual cosponsor of this event.
Details about the annual Sheppard Lecture are available on our Events page in early September.
Explore past Sheppard Lectures.
Support the Carl Sheppard Memorial Fund
If you’d like to make a gift, you can contribute to the Carl Sheppard Memorial Fund through the University of Minnesota Foundation.
Distinguished Alumni Homecoming Series
We help celebrate the success of our alumni and benefit from their experiences through the Distinguished Alumni Homecoming series. Each year, we host a UMN graduate with ties to premodern studies who has found success in or beyond an academic career. The alumnus gives a lecture in our colloquium series and also engages in a professional skills roundtable with our current students.
Explore past Homecoming Lecturers.
Past Lectures
Explore a complete list of our past lectures, organized by academic year.