Inventory of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Records, 1966-1982

Abstract

Contains the records of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, an interdisciplinary degree-granting program for scholars at Duke University. The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies was established around 1968 in an effort to join and strengthen the medieval and renaissance programs at Duke University. Also includes materials of the Committee on Medieval and Renaissance Studies concerning the development of the program, the Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and the Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Types of materials include correspondence, budgets, newsletters, curriculum planning materials, announcements, reports, and minutes. Major subjects include the Duke University faculty, Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, the Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, university cooperation, renaissance study and teaching, and humanities study and teaching. Materials range in date from 1966 to 1982.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies records, 1966-1982.
Creator: Duke University. Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Extent: 3 Linear Feet, , 3,000 Items , (2 boxes)
Repository: University Archives, Duke University.
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
Language: English.

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Collection Overview

Contains correspondence, newsletters, curriculum planning materials, budgets, announcements, reports, and minutes pertaining to the establishment and operation of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Duke University. This collection reflects cooperative curriculum development among faculty of fine arts, sciences, literature, history, religion and philosophy departments. Materials range in date from 1966 to 1982.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Unprocessed materials are closed pending processing.

In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Contents of the Collection

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General historical materials, ca. 1968

Box 1

Duke Humanities Council materials, ca. 1966-1972

Box 1

Newsletters, 1970

Box 1

Curriculum background materials, 1970-1971

Box 1

Provost reports, budgets, minutes, agendas, 1974-1975

Box 1

Medieval and Renaissance Studies Committee, 1970-1972

Box 1

Lecture and events announcements, ca. 1968, 1975-1980

Box 2

Budgets and other financial materials, 1979-1980

Box 2

Correspondence, course outlines, scheduled events, minutes, meeting notes, fellowships awarded, 1975-1980

Box 2

Historical Note

The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies was established at Duke University around 1968 after a committee on Medieval and Renaissance Studies formed around 1966 to examine the possibilities of combining courses from a variety of disciplines. The committee analyzed faculty resources at Duke University and critiqued programs at other institutions. The committee then made recommendations to establish a Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, create a journal, provide undergraduate and graduate study programs, and establish a monograph series to permit publication of studies relating to the Renaissance and Middle Ages. Additionally, they recommended reviving the Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, active at Duke University from 1963 to 1969.

Each proposal was approved, and interdisciplinary coursework was planned for the 1968-1969 academic year under the guidance of the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Committee and the Duke Humanities Council. The distinguishing feature of the Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies was the requirement of intensive work in the transmission of medieval texts. Degree-granting programs combined courses in fine arts, languages, history, and philosophy to achieve the goals of a well-rounded education in the humanities. The Center also sponsored or supported conferences, symposia, lecture series, meetings, and cooperative workshops with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since 1971, the Center has produced the Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (formerly titled Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies).

As of 2003, the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies has over forty faculty in ten different departments. All faculty participate in the University Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, which is the academic unit of the Center. The Center currently collaborates with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University in the Joint Program for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Subject Headings

Related Material

Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies Records. (University Archives, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.)
Southeastern Renaissance Conference records. (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. )
Cooperative Program in the Humanities Report, [1963-1969] Call number: 378.73 C778R (University Archives, Duke University.)