Yale > Renaissance Studies > Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate Program

Why Major in Renaissance Studies?
Renaissance Studies as a Second Major
Requirements of the Major
Worksheet for Requirements
Course List with Links to online Syllabi
Thinking about Graduate School?

I. Why Major in Renaissance Studies?

Three Reasons:

Reason No. 1: Study What You Like

If you have a strong interest in any aspect of the Renaissance, you should be thinking about a first or second major in Renaissance Studies.

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 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 both this list of undergraduate courses and the Renaissance Studies Faculty page.)

Reason No. 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 No. 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) and other faculty.

Therefore, 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.

Students should also seriously consider the wisdom of complementing or balancing a major in Renaissance Studies with a second major.

II. Renaissance Studies as a Second 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 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.

A major in Renaissance Studies can be part of a very broad overall undergraduate education. So, to maximize your flexibility and your career and graduate school options after Yale, it might be wise to consider Renaissance Studies as a second--even as your secondary--major.

Pairing Renaissance Studies with a more common major in the Humanities, such as English or History, is one way to go.

You might also consider complementing a Renaissance Studies major with another major in a different division, such as Economics or Political Science.

With two majors, you can demonstrate your ability to focus and concentrate on a challenging special program in the Humanities (your Renaissance Studies Major), and also confirm your openness to many future personal and professional possibilities (thanks to your other major).

In any case, even if Renaissance Studies is your sole major, with wise overall course selections you can prepare yourself for almost anything after Yale, even medical, law, or business school if that's what you ultimately end up wanting to do.

Its important to remember that the Renaissance Studies major is not just for future Renaissance Studies professors.

III. Requirements of the Major

The official, regulating text of the major program is printed in the Yale College Programs of Study, better known as the "Blue Book."

Note that the formal requirements of the major do change slightly over time; your own program should be guided by the Bluebook text at the time you first entered Yale College.

What follows on this page is a semi-formal run through the requirements.

Focus your program

All majors select their own Area of Concentration in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and other 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

Two specific courses are required of every major: Ren Stud 256, "Forms and Ideas of Renaissance Culture" and Ren Stud 222, "The Italian Renaissance." (Note that the exact course numbers may change over time.)

Both these courses count toward the 12 terms of required coursework.

The senior seminar and senior essay

Each year a particular seminar, usually in the Fall term, is identified as especially appropriate for Renaissance Studies majors. A senior may petition the DUS to substitute a different seminar of the student's choice.

All seniors must research and write, usually in the Spring term, a one-semester senior essay on a topic of their own choice. 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 the senior seminar, or in another class. 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.

Both the senior seminar (Ren Stud 493) and the senior essay (Ren Stud 495) count toward the 12 terms of required coursework.

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 Ren Stud 222, "The Italian Renaissance" (cross-listed as History 222) 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 before you take a course to confirm that it is indeed appropriate for a Renaissance Studies major program.

Course substitutions?

It may be possible to substitute one course for another, and even to substitute for a required course; contact the DUS 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 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 print and fill out, or email directly to the DUS.

IV. Worksheet for Requirements

Use this worksheet to help plan your course of study as a Renaissance Studies major.

Want to print and fill out this worksheet?

Click here: Undergraduate Major Worksheet formatted for printing.

Part I. The prerequisite 4 terms of a single foreign language:

1. Term 1 ____________________

2. Term 2 ____________________

3. Term 3 ____________________

4. Term 4 ____________________

Alternatively, briefly explain your equivalent foreign language experience:

___________________________________________
___________________________________________

Part II. The 12 terms of coursework:

1. Hum 256 "Renaissance Culture" or equivalent ____________________

2. Hist 222 "Renaissance Italy" or equivalent ____________________

3. An English Literature course _________________

4. A History of Art course _____________________

5. A Foreign Literature course __________________

6. ____________________

7. ____________________

8. ____________________

9. ____________________

10. ____________________

11. The Senior Seminar or equivalent ____________________

12. The Senior Essay ____________________

Part III. Substitutions:

Do you have written permission from the DUS for every equivalent course listed above, including the language prerequisite? ____

V. Course List with Links to online Syllabi

Yale College Programs of Study

VI. 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.

Next: Graduate Program