Early Modern Studies

The Early Modern Studies concentration undertakes interdisciplinary examination of history, literature, religion, and philosophy within the transitional period that stretched between medieval and modern societies, marked especially by the advent of print, Christian confessional war, and the rise of the modern state.

The Early Modern Studies concentration focuses on the study of what is variously called Early Modern, Renaissance, Reformation, and/or Tudor-Stuart Britain (and, in some studies, especially theology, Europe as well). This concentration is open to students in all programs in english, history, religion, and cultural studies at Claremont Graduate University’s School of Arts & Humanities.

For master’s students, this discrete course of study complements coursework in archival and museum studies and/or prepares students for application to doctoral programs in early modern-, Renaissance-, or Reformation-era studies in the Humanities as well as for careers in archives, collections, and museums. For doctoral students, the concentration primarily prepares students for research and teaching at the college or university level but, given their archival experience and multidisciplinary focus, our graduates also work as rare books and manuscripts curators and Center for Writing & Rhetoric specialists.

Students work closely with a departmental faculty advisor to pursue an intellectually unified course of study that will include seminars cross-listed with participating CGU humanities departments and The Claremont Colleges.

Program Highlights

• Students in the Early Modern Studies program have access to a variety of specialized resources, including free paleography and research workshops and library databases.
• CGU is a consortium member of the Newberry Library Center for Renaissance Studies, which sponsors and underwrites graduate students in member institutions for travel to collections, conferences, and seminars.
• Doctoral students in the Early Modern Studies program are eligible to apply for research privileges at Southern California’s renowned Huntington Library, Getty Institute, and William Andrews Clark Memorial Library.

SCHOOL AT A GLANCE

The School of Arts & Humanities lets you tailor your program to target your specific interests. You’ll conduct research across disciplines to approach problems in new ways in an intimate, collegial learning environment where faculty-mentors offer you personal attention, and opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary scholarship abound.

Interdisciplinary Concentrations

This interdisciplinary concentration is available for students pursuing the following degree programs: