Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Choose a major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Games of thrones, cultural encounters, social upheavals – find out how medieval and early modern civilisations changed the world.

Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) is a flexible, cross-disciplinary major or minor designed to advance knowledge of the medieval and early modern worlds from the fifth to the eighteenth centuries. Crossing national, political, imperial, cultural, social, gender and disciplinary boundaries, MEMS at Flinders gives students the historical and literary understanding and analytical skills necessary to understand our own interconnected, globalised world. You will learn about the revolutions and major transformations that changed the world and influence our world even today, from military and industrial, political and societal, health and economic, urbanisation and empires, and how all these changed cultures and societies across the world. The program draws on the expertise of members of the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences from multiple disciplines, namely English, History and Archaeology, encouraging students to choose their program of study at upper levels according to their own interests.

Why study Medieval and Early Modern Studies?

Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of medieval and early modern history and literature
Explore a wide range of texts, historical as well as literary, from the medieval and early modern periods
Understand a wide range of both secondary and primary sources, whether these are written texts, films, images, or artefacts

What you will study

The origins of modern institutions, conflicts and technologies
Medieval and early modern history, literature, art, archaeology and philosophy
Medieval myths
The real Game of Thrones

Add Medieval and Early Modern Studies to your degree

Bachelor of Arts

Diploma of Arts

Bachelor of Arts (Enhanced Program for High Achievers)

How many topics will you study?

A major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies is made up of 36 units, including:

two Year 1 topics (9 units)
one Year 2 topic (4.5 units) from ENGL, one Year 2 topic (4.5 units) from HIST and one Year 2 topic (4.5 units) from the general list for a total of 13.5 units
three Year 3 topics (13.5 units)

A student may complete a minor sequence of 18 units in Medieval & Early Modern Studies by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), one Year 2 topic (4.5 units) plus an additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

You can complete an extended major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics. An extended major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies is not available if you’re studying the Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts.

Add a year of Honours

Kickstart your career or future in research with one extra year.

By adding just one year full-time to your undergraduate degree, you can graduate with Honours. Enhance your career prospects, delve deeper into knowledge or launch yourself into the world of research.

Explore your honours year

Your career

You'll be able to apply your understanding of the Medieval and Early Modern worlds to open up opportunities in a broad range of industries that value critical and ethical thinking, effective communication and strong research skills. These transferrable skills are valued all around the world and are emerging as highly desirable in the ever-changing nature of global workforces.