Connector Staff
On South Campus this past Wednesday, a new minor celebrated its launch with a luncheon and information session. New to UMass Lowell, the Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor is interdisciplinary, including classes from the departments of art, music, history, English and philosophy. The minor includes classes like Music of Western Civilization, Performing Shakespeare and Northern Renaissance Art. All the minor requires is 6-8 classes from the accepted list of courses. Two 3000 level courses are required, and classes should be taken from a minimum of two different departments.
The lunch took place from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and served to introduce students to the new opportunity. Throughout the event students would come in, stop for some snacks, and pick up information on the program. The Coordinator of the minor, Professor Laura Barefield, said “I think this is a really hot minor right now. We are the only public university in Massachusetts to offer this minor.” Over 30 students and 10 faculty members stopped in to speak or learn about the minor, and while many liberal arts majors would find this minor compatible with their schedule, creative writing majors especially seem interested in this opportunity.
At the event were a number of posters, books and reading materials about the minor and subject alike. The lunch also featured a presentation of Viking gear by Dillon Mroz, who is passionate about “living history” and reenacts period characters by dressing as a Viking by the name of Bjorn. He attended the event as Bjorn and will be heading to Norway in the near future. Mroz also speaks in classes, talking about Viking history and leaving quite an impression on the students.
11 students have already signed up and more are to come. There is no better time to declare the minor than now, as in the field exciting events are happening soon. Interested students will have the opportunity to take a trip to the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, N.H., where an original copy of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays will be on exhibit. Furthermore, the Renaissance Society of America will be meeting in Boston next semester, where over 2,500 scholars will be meeting to discuss new developments and publications. If you are interested in this program and would like to know more, email Laura Barefield at her UMass Lowell address for information, links and advice.
