Lewis University

What you'll study

The programme combines chronological and thematic study of medieval and early modern Europe with training in historical methods and source analysis. Core topics include the late Roman and Byzantine worlds, the formation of medieval kingdoms, monasticism and the Church, the High Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, and early modern political and cultural transformations. Students explore textual, visual and material sources to understand everyday life, gender and family, literacy and education, art and architecture, trade and urban culture, and the history of science and ideas.

Typical modules and courses you may take include:

• Introduction to Medieval Europe — political and social foundations from late antiquity to c.1300
• Renaissance and Reformation Europe — cultural, religious and intellectual change in the fifteenth–seventeenth centuries
• Medieval Intellectual and Religious History — monasticism, scholasticism and devotional life
• Early Modern Social and Economic History — cities, commerce, and family structures
• Art and Material Culture of Medieval and Early Modern Europe — methods for reading objects and sites
• Historiography and Research Methods — palaeography, archival practice, and source criticism
• Language preparation and reading skills — introductory Latin for historians and elective modern languages relevant to primary sources
• Capstone Research Seminar — independent research project based on primary sources

The programme emphasises primary-source work and research skills. Students undertake archival assignments, document analysis, and a capstone project supervised by faculty. Opportunities for cross-disciplinary study with art history, religious studies and political science are available, as are internships with local museums, archives and cultural institutions.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions decisions consider academic record, strength of curriculum, and supporting materials such as a personal statement and academic references. Standardised test requirements vary by admissions cycle; many applicants apply under test-optional policies. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised examinations or alternative institutional pathways.

Recommended preparation includes coursework in history, literature and writing, and any study of foreign languages. Mature applicants or those with prior college credit will be considered on the basis of post-secondary transcripts and relevant experience. Individual departments may request a writing sample or evidence of research interest for applicants intending an honours-style capstone.

Career prospects

Graduates with a specialisation in medieval and early modern European cultural history move into a broad range of careers that value research, critical thinking and communication. Typical pathways include:

• Museum and archival work — curatorial assistant, collections management, archivist support roles
• Education — secondary-school teaching (often with subsequent teacher certification), educational programming in cultural institutions
• Public history and heritage — interpretive planning, heritage management, exhibit research
• Publishing, journalism and communications — editorial roles, content development and research positions
• Law, government and non-profit sectors — policy analysis, research, advocacy and programme coordination
• Further academic study — MA and PhD programmes in history, art history, medieval studies, religious studies or related fields

Internships with local museums, historical societies and libraries, along with faculty-supervised research projects, help students build practical experience and professional networks.

Why study at Lewis University

Lewis University offers small classes and close faculty mentorship, allowing students to pursue intensive source-based research and receive personalised guidance for capstone projects and graduate-school preparation. The university’s liberal arts environment supports interdisciplinary connections with art history, religious studies and political science, while partnerships and internship links in the Chicago region provide access to major museums, archives and research libraries.

Lewis’s commitment to experiential learning means students can combine coursework with internships, study-abroad options and community-engaged projects that place theory into practice. The department’s emphasis on writing, language skills and archival methods equips graduates with transferable skills valued by employers and graduate programmes alike.