Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance Literature

Explore the timeless wisdom of old stories.

When people think of Literature – in all its important weightiness – they often think of the Renaissance stories by Shakespeare and Milton or older Classical tales like the Odyssey or the Aeneid. The Classical, Medieval & Renaissance concentration at Signum University gives students an opportunity to examine these popular tales from long ago and decipher why they stand the test of time.

Why Study Classical, Medieval & Renaissance Literature?

More than perhaps any other activity, the telling of stories are what make humans unique from other forms of life. Language allows communication, but stories give us the ability to ruminate on why we’re here, what our purpose is, and how we can improve not only our own lives, but the lives of those around us as well.

Studying stories from long ago gives us the opportunity to see how our forebears lived, thought, and approached the problems in their day. Although we have made many technological changes – some call them advances – since their time, the basic questions of life, relationship, and society have not changed all that much. The answers available to us to meet those questions are, in many cases, the same answers that the storytellers of old had available to them.

At Signum, we do not believe that the stories of one era are inherently better than the stories of another; that said, the passage of time tends to work as a filter by allowing the finest stories to sift down to us. Focusing on the Classical works of Homer or Virgil, the Medieval works of Chaucer or Malory, and the Renaissance works of Shakespeare, among others, allows us to engage with some of the best and brightest minds and consider the ideas those minds produced.

Bringing Classic Literature to Online Education

Signum University provides a fresh way of reading and studying the old stories that have become a staple of literature programs the world around. As part of our premier degree program, the M.A. in Language & Literature, this concentration in Classical, Medieval & Renaissance Literature breathes new life into a centuries-old discipline.

M.A. Program Details

For those who are not ready to commit to a full M.A. program, you can also enroll in our Certificate Program or sit in on literature courses as an auditor.

Below is a list of all the courses Signum offers on classic, medieval and renaissance literature. Students seeking a M.A. or Certificate with a concentration in Classical, Medieval & Renaissance Literature must take at least five of these courses.

At least one Classical, Medieval & Renaissance Literature course will be offered each semester. Courses will be offered on a rotating basis every 2 – 3 years. Course order, frequency, and availability may change without notice. Links to course descriptions above may go to an older version of the course. For current course offerings, visit the Signum course catalog.