Undergraduate Program
The Major
Renaissance Studies is a special major in the humanities, which focuses on the Western cultural tradition (see also "Special Programs in the Humanities"). It is an interdisciplinary program that introduces students to that period in European history conventionally termed the Renaissance, when a revival of ancient classical culture gave rise to an age of reforms, transformations, and discoveries - very roughly the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in Italy, the sixteenth century in northern and western Europe, and 1500-1660 in England.
The major in Renaissance Studies is administered through the Special Divisional Major, but has its own specific requirements. Majors in Renaissance Studies will have three advisors: the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Special Divisional Major and two faculty members from Renaissance Studies: one professor in the student’s area of concentration, and the designated coordinator for the major (normally the chair of the Renaissance Studies program).
See: http://www.yale.edu/yalecollege/publications/ycps/chapter_iv/special_divisional.html
Renaissance Studies majors study several aspects of this period, including visual arts, social and political history, religion, literature, history of ideas and philosophy, and history of music. Such study of a distant era demands and fosters a capacity for intellectual flexibility. Students in the program are invited to immerse themselves thoroughly in as many disciplines as possible and develop their capacities to the utmost. In other words, Renaissance Studies majors are asked to pursue the most highly esteemed goal of the Renaissance itself: the acquisition of multiple skills, all deeply rooted in universal knowledge.
The program's challenge lies mostly in the need to grasp systems of communication different from our own but possessing their own coherence and intricate relationships to each other. The program’s rewards are many, but can easily be summarized with a single observation: every Renaissance Studies major becomes a “Renaissance man’ or “Renaissance woman,” that is, a well-rounded, knowledgeable individual who has mastered more than one discipline and excels in many of them.
I. Why Major in Renaissance Studies?
Three Reasons:
Reason 1: Study What You Like
If you have a strong interest in any aspect of the Renaissance, this may be the major for you. This major provides a rigorous framework for studying all facets of the Renaissance while allowing you enough freedom to focus on those particular subjects that interest you the most.
For the purposes of the undergraduate major, the time and place of "The Renaissance" is defined very broadly: from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, and from Italy to all of Western and much of Eastern Europe--and even to Mexico, Peru, India, and other areas outside of Europe touched by Renaissance Europeans.
There are no topical boundaries.
So if you are fascinated by the poetry of Petrarch, or the story of the Spanish Armada, or the development of modern banking in Italy, or the paintings of Rubens--or all of the above--then majoring in Renaissance studies is a wonderful way for you to focus your studies on the period that truly interests you.
(And if you need a reason to be interested in the Renaissance, check out the Renaissance Studies Faculty page.)
Reason 2: A Major Across the Disciplines
Most undergraduate programs of study expose you to the method--and point of view--of a single discipline.
But the major in Renaissance Studies is naturally inter-disciplinary: the core of the program demands both competency in a foreign language and varied coursework in English Literature, History, History of Art, and at least one Foreign Literature program.
All students majoring in Renaissance Studies have an appropriate "Area of Concentration" or home-base discipline (such as English or History of Art), but they are also able to take complementary courses in related disciplines, like History or Italian, and count them toward their major program.
Reason 3: A Personalized Major
Because Renaissance Studies is a small and intimate program, you can tailor your personal program of study to fit your own interests and goals.
All majors select their own Area of Concentration in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in the Special Divisional Major and other faculty.
In other words, if your primary interest is English Drama you will have a very different program from a student whose primary interest is Italian Painting. But both of you will have a better, broader perspective on your primary interests as a result of your exposure to a wide spectrum of courses all relating to the Renaissance.
II. The Usefulness of a Renaissance Studies Major
Majoring in Renaissance Studies indicates an unusual undergraduate commitment to one particular historical and intellectual period.
It does not mean that you are stuck in the 15th and 16th centuries.
But some people--including parents, future potential employers, or professional school admissions committee members--may be concerned that a major in Renaissance Studies suggests a certain distance from the here and now.
There is no reason to let them think that way.
The Renaissance Studies major is not just for future Renaissance Studies professors or directors of Renaissance fairs. With wise overall course selections, you can prepare yourself for almost anything after Yale, even professional careers in law, medicine, politics, journalism, writing, publishing, theater, art, architecture, music, or business. After all, at the end of four years of college, you will be a Renaissance man or Renaissance woman. Literally.
III. Requirements of the Major
Note that the formal requirements of the major may change slightly over time; your own program should be guided by the requirements that were in place when you first entered Yale College.
Focus your program
All majors select their own Area of Concentration in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in the Special Divisional Major and Renaissance Studies faculty. An area is, first of all, a particular discipline and broad interest: Spanish Literature, History of Art, etc. Your area will eventually be refined to a particular topic or set of topics, particularly as you prepare for writing your senior essay.
Number of courses required
Beyond the language prerequisite, a total of 12 term courses are required.
The language prerequisite
As a preparation, all majors are required to have the equivalent of two years (four terms) of an appropriate foreign language. This language training is a prerequisite, and therefore does not count toward satisfying the 12 terms of required coursework.
Further language study
Beyond the language prerequisite, all majors are encouraged (but not strictly required) to take advanced coursework in a foreign language they have already studied, and to add a basic knowledge of a second foreign language as well.
Appropriate languages
The appropriate foreign languages are: French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Alternative appropriate foreign languages must be approved by the DUS.
Required Courses
1. History 223, "The Italian Renaissance." (Note that the exact course numbers may change over time.)
This course counts toward the 12 credits of required coursework.
2. The senior seminar and senior essay (SPEC 491a and SPEC 492b).
A senior essay is the capstone requirement for the major. This is a year-long project that requires careful planning. In the junior year, students should choose a topic, broadly defined, select a faculty member who is willing to serve as director of this project, and gain their approval of the project. The fall semester will be dedicated to reading broadly in the chosen subject and meeting with the director once a week. The spring term will be dedicated to the writing of the senior essay.
All seniors must choose a particular faculty member to direct their work. The exact form—including length—of the essay is determined between the student and advisor.
The senior essay can develop out of a topic first explored in another course. Indeed, it is advisable to start thinking about the senior essay topic as soon as possible, and many—if not most—senior essays do develop from a prior seminar paper or other course project.
The two-term senior essay course counts as two of the 12 credits required for the major.
Required distribution of coursework
Beyond the language and specific course requirements, majors must take at least one course from each of the following four departments: English Literature, History, History of Art, and a relevant foreign language Literature.
Note that History 223, "The Italian Renaissance" does satisfy the History requirement, even though it is a required course of the major.
Appropriate courses
Note that this list is not statutory; you may freely take any appropriate course—but be certain to contact the DUS and the Renaissance Studies advisor before you take a course to confirm that it is indeed appropriate for a Renaissance Studies major program.
It may be possible to substitute one course for another, and even to substitute for a required course; contact the DUS and the Renaissance Studies advisor with any and every specific request.
Breadth and balance
Renaissance Studies is intended to be an interdisciplinary major, so take a broad variety of courses from several different departments and programs.
Don't forget to ask for advice!
It is very important that you plan your own program in consultation with both the DUS of the Special Divisional Major, the coordinator of the major within Renaissance Studies, and the various professors in the program whose own interests match your own. Their advice and perspective on your plans and goals can help ensure that your program is both wise and rewarding.
To keep track of and plan your own program, the next page is a worksheet that you can print and fill out, or email directly to the DUS and the Renaissance Studies advisor .
IV. Worksheet for Requirements
Use this worksheet to help plan your course of study as a Renaissance Studies major.
Click here to print and fill out this worksheet.
Part I. The prerequisite 4 terms of a single foreign language:
- Term 1 ____________________
- Term 2 ____________________
- Term 3 ____________________
- Term 4 ____________________
Alternatively, briefly explain your equivalent foreign language experience:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Part II. The 12 terms of coursework:
- Hist 223 "Renaissance Italy" or equivalent ____________________
- An English Literature course _________________
- A History of Art course _____________________
- A Foreign Literature course __________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- The Senior Essay I ____________________
- The Senior Essay II ____________________
Part III. Substitutions:
Do you have written permission from the DUS for every equivalent course listed above, including the language prerequisite? ____
V. Thinking about Graduate School?
That is, graduate school in an academic field related to your major in Renaissance Studies?
Great!
But pay attention to some important issues regarding graduate school in the early twenty-first century. Here are some things to think about:
- What is grad school for?
First of all, graduate school in the humanities is not a seamless extension of an undergraduate major in the humanities. Unless, perhaps, you are financially independent, grad school is professional school.
- Do you want to be a professor? (Or a curator, or archivist, etc.) Do you want to write books and articles? Do you want to teach?
Grad school is not only about pursuing an interest in depth; it is about preparing for a future career.
- How do I plan for grad school?
Work as hard as you can in your current courses. Develop a personal relationship with the faculty teaching your courses. Make sure they get a chance to know you and your interests.
Get advice. Speak to as many different faculty and current graduate students as you can. Speak to people who got their PhD twenty years ago; speak with people who will be getting their PhD this year. Speak to people who went to an "elite" Ivy League-equivalent school; speak with people who did not. And speak with people working in different disciplines, too.
In short, get as many different perspectives on graduate education and the academic profession as possible.
- How do I choose a grad school?
There are many different answers to this question.
The obvious route is to identify the most prestigeous programs out there, in terms of notable scholars and general reputations.
But also pay attention to the specific interests of those faculty who might direct your PhD program. Think about those established scholars who have written books you admire; find out where they teach, and write them a letter outlining your potential interest. (And then, ask other people to find out that established scholar's reputation as a developer of young scholars.) You might find that your ideal potential mentor is teaching—and enthusiastically teaching—graduate students at an institution you had not thought of.
You need to also think about how you are going to pay for graduate school. Remember, this is a career step, and part of professional life is thinking about financial consequences.
