PLYMOUTH-The Medieval studies major has been canceled until further notice because of a shortage in faculty and students.
Many Medieval studies faculty members will be leaving PSU in the fall. Some faculty are retiring and other gained employment elsewhere. The Medieval studies program has lost two faculty members from the History department, two faculty members from the English department and one member from the Philosophy department. Because Medieval studies is an Interdisciplinary major covering such a wide range of topics from the 500’s to the mid 1600’s, classes are taught in many departments. These departments include English, Art History, Computer Sciences, History, Archeology, Foreign Languages, and Philosophy to name a few. The decision was made by the Medieval Studies council as well as faculty involved in the courses offered for the major. According to Naomi Kline, a professor in the Art department who serves on the Medieval council, the Medieval council first deliberated and reached a consensus before delivering their decision to the faculty. Also, according to the Registrar’s office, only two students at Plymouth State are enrolled in the major and also only two in the minor. Because of this, Plymouth State senior Meagan Cosgrove feels that this is a good decision: “I think we can put our resources towards a major more people are interested in. I don’t see why we would spend money and faculty hours on a degree program that so few people are enrolled in.”
Just because the major is canceled does not mean the whole department is dead, according Kline, the Medieval Studies minor is “alive and well.”
Despite canceling the major, the Medieval Forum is still going strong. This year’s Medieval Forum took place last weekend, and included events such as a medieval feast, calligraphy courses, and medieval dance lessons.