University of Alabama

What you'll study

The degree combines core training in historical method and historiography with specialised modules on medieval and early modern Europe. You will study topics such as the formation of medieval polities, the social and cultural life of late medieval towns, the Renaissance and humanism, the Reformation and confessional cultures, early modern empire and cross-cultural encounters, and the history of religion, art and material culture.

Typical components include:

• Survey courses covering the High Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages and early modern Europe
• Seminars on specific themes: court culture, gender and family, memory and commemoration, book history and the print revolution
• Language training in Latin and, where available, introductory Old French, medieval German or early modern Spanish to enable engagement with primary sources
• Practical modules in palaeography and codicology or manuscript studies, and in archival research methods
• Courses in historical theory, research design and quantitative/qualitative methods for historians
• An upper-level capstone seminar or an undergraduate thesis project supervised by departmental faculty
• Elective options drawing on related departments — art history, religious studies, classics or modern languages — and opportunities for study abroad in European programmes

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification. Successful candidates typically show a strong academic record with coursework in humanities or social sciences; evidence of ability to read complex texts and write analytical essays is important. International applicants must meet the university's English language proficiency standards. The department welcomes applicants who have taken or are willing to study relevant languages (Latin or another modern European language) and who can demonstrate motivation for historical study through a personal statement, sample writing or recommendation letters when requested.

Transfer applicants are considered on the basis of college transcripts and course equivalency. Prospective students with non-traditional backgrounds should highlight any relevant research, museum, archival or community history experience.

Career prospects

Graduates with specialisation in medieval and early modern European cultural history enter a wide range of careers. Common pathways include:

• Further academic study (master's and doctoral programmes) and careers in university teaching and research
• Museums, galleries and heritage organisations — curatorial work, education and collections management
• Archives and libraries — archival processing, conservation and special collections work
• Cultural resource management and historical consultancy for public and private sector projects
• Publishing, journalism, and digital humanities roles involving editorial, research or content development work
• Public history and education roles in historic sites, tourism and community heritage projects
• Law, government, and non-profit sectors that value strong research, writing and critical thinking skills

Undergraduates also develop transferable skills in source analysis, language competence, project management and written and oral communication that are valued across many professions.

Why study at University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers a liberal arts environment with a history department that provides close faculty supervision and opportunities for undergraduate research. Students benefit from the university's library special collections and archives for primary-source work, as well as links to study-abroad programmes and internship placements which can place students directly in European archival and museum settings.

The department supports language study and interdisciplinary collaboration with departments such as art history, religious studies and modern languages, helping students tailor a programme of study that matches their research interests and career goals. Small seminar sizes at upper levels give students direct access to faculty expertise in medieval and early modern cultural history and guidance on developing a capstone project or thesis.