FACTSHEET
RESEARCH MASTER’S PROGRAMME ANCIENT, MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE STUDIES
Welcome to the Research MA Programme Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies. We look forward to welcoming you to Utrecht and are confident that you will have a great two years studying the field of your choice at a level that agrees with your interests, abilities and ambitions.
This factsheet is intended to help you get acquainted with the Research MA program and assist you to making the most of studying in the Research MA, and in its constituent tracks, i.e. Ancient Studies, Medieval Studies, Early Medieval Insular Languages and Cultures, and Renaissance Studies. It includes referrals to the courses you can follow during your studies, details about the members of staff you will be working with over the course of your Research MA, as well as some information regarding the services available to students at Utrecht University.
Some, because we have tried to include everything that might conceivably help you − as far as the information was available at this time. Not all, because some information will become available after this date, and because some information will only become relevant whilst studying our program Therefore, it will be necessary to consult the websites that are mentioned in this factsheet during your studies.
On behalf of all teachers and all involved in the running of the programme, I wish you the best of luck in this academic year.
Floris van den Eijnde Programme coordinator Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies
D R . F LORIS VAN DEN E IJNDE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE
DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
The RMA AMRS has an active student community. Particularly the study association Teiresias of Ancient Studies, organises social and educational events on a regular basis, such as movie nights, excursions and an annual symposium. For more information, please email Teiresias (teiresiasuu@gmail.com).
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee consists of students and staff members who jointly discuss and assess the quality of the education in the Research Master’s programme. Every year, the committee is looking for new student members. If you are interested in becoming a member, or if you want to contact the committee about the standard of education, please contact the chair of the committee, dr. Willemijn Ruberg: (w.g.ruberg@uu.nl).
Humanities Graduate School Conference
The Humanities Graduate School Conference is a conference by and for PhDs and Research Master students at the Faculty of Humanities. It aims to provide an interdisciplinary conference to strengthen the academic community within the Graduate School. Furthermore, the conference allows students and PhDs to obtain valuable experience in presenting and discussing their own work.
If you are interested in co-organizing this year’s edition of the Humanities Graduate School Conference send an email to the Graduate School of Humanities: GSHumanities@uu.nl
MA Conference grants
Research Master students are encouraged to participate in international conferences. To stimulate this participation, the Graduate School of Humanities awards several Conference Grants over the year. Students who wish to be considered for such a grant are asked to submit a proposal.
Deadlines for applications are usually on 1 May and 1 December. Please contact the Graduate School of Humanities (GSHumanities@uu.nl) for more information.
CORE TEAM OF LECTURERS
Programme coordinator; Ancient studies. Expertise: Greek archaeology, ancient history
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Early Medieval Insular Languages and Culture. Expertise: Historical linguistics, Celtic languages and culture, language change
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Italian Studies. Expertise: Culture and Identity, Renaissance Culture, Italian Culture ■ ■ ■
Medieval studies. Expertise: social communication in the Middle Ages, manuscripts, media history, paleography
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High Middle Ages. Expertise: Celtic Languages and Culture, Medieval History, Literature and Intellectual Culture
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Ancient Studies. Expertise: cultural history, ancient and medieval magic and rituals, religious history and traditions
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D R . F LORIS VAN DEN E IJNDE
D R . A ARON G RIFFITH
P ROF . D R . H ARALD H ENDRIX
P ROF DR M ARCO M OSTERT
D R N ATALIA P ETROVSKAIA
D R O RTAL - P AZ S AAR
STUDY ADVISORS
Facing issues with your studies? The study advisors are there to help and support you to successfully complete your degree. They can act as confidential counsellors, advise on issues regarding illness and special circumstances and, together with you, look at the possibility to cope with the studies while dealing with disabilities or chronic illnesses. They can also help with specific arrangements and procedures, such as complaints, objections and appeals. You can find more information on the university website, at: https://students.uu.nl/en/hum/amrs/contact/study-advisor Click on the name of the study advisor to see who to contact if you have questions about your programme.
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S TEFAN V UURENS
M AJED Z AIN
THIS PROGRAMME
Utrecht University’s Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies programme is highly regarded in the Netherlands and abroad, and the programme's flexibility sets it apart from other Master's programmes in the country. The programme focuses on the interdisciplinary study of the material, social, and intellectual developments in Europe (including the Mediterranean region) from Antiquity through the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The Research Master’s programme is designed for students with the ability and ambition to pursue an academic career.
This programme consists of the following tracks:
Ancient Studies
Medieval Studies
Early Medieval Insular Languages and Cultures
Renaissance Studies
For a more detailed description of the specific courses on offer per track, please visit the section on course contents on our website. If you have any questions, contact the appropriate 'key teacher' or the programme coordinator
Questions on theory are dealt with on the level of Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies in general, and on the level of the individual tracks. Similarly, questions on methodology are dealt with in the individual tracks, and, as far as various research skills are concerned, in a general course. Most questions on content are dealt with in the individual tracks. All tracks focus on the interdisciplinary study of material, social, and intellectual developments in Europe and the Mediterranean region.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The programme’s courses are taught in small groups by first-rate instructors. You will learn advanced research skills whilst developing historical expertise in your specific areas of interest. We will also challenge you to connect your work to ongoing scholarly debates and to reflect on current affairs. The programme is enhanced with research conducted by lecturers, who are internationally renowned in their fields of expertise.
Community
During your studies in the Research MA, you will come into contact with students from the four tracks, as well as with students in other programmes, but quite often you will see mainly students from your own track. Although there are no formal ‘associations’, you will receive invitations to lectures and other events, and you will be able to follow what’s on in your track by consulting the relevant websites.
The programme attracts students from the Netherlands and abroad. They quickly feel welcome in the community of teachers and students and fully participate in the programme’s scholarly life.
National Research Schools
Students will be enrolled in a national research school of their choice. They will generally be required to follow the equivalent of two courses offered by their research school (10 EC). The following research schools have been selected in the past by students in the research MA Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies:
OIKOS
OIKOS is the National Research School in Classical Studies in the Netherlands. OIKOS organises courses for PhD-students and Research Master students in the area of Graeco-Roman Antiquity and its reception.
Website: https://www.rug.nl/research/research-let/onderzoekscholen/oikos/
COURSE PLANNER: You will find more information on this programme’s courses in the Course Planner:
Course Planner RMA AMRS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After graduating from the Research MA in Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, you will have:
✓ profound knowledge of and insight into the field of Ancient, Medieval, Early Medieval Insular or Renaissance Studies;
✓ the academic skills to independently identify, formulate, analyse and suggest possible solutions to problems in the field of Ancient, Medieval, Early Medieval Insular or Renaissance Studies;
✓ the academic skills to independently conduct research in his or her field and to report on it in a manner that meets the general standards of the discipline;
✓ the ability to apply knowledge and understanding in a way that demonstrates a professional approach to his or her work or profession;
✓ the ability to communicate conclusions, as well as the underlying knowledge, grounds and considerations, to an audience composed of specialists or nonspecialists.
M EDIEVAL S TUDIES
The Research School for Medieval Studies aims to enhance the quality of scholarly training and research within the field of Medieval Studies in the Netherlands and Flanders. It offers interuniversity education for doctoral as well as graduate students.
Website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/research-school-medieval-studies
H UIZINGA I NSTITUUT
The Huizinga Instituut is a Research Institute and Graduate School for Cultural History.
Website: https://www.huizingainstituut.nl/
O NDERZOEKSCHOOL K UNSTGESCHIEDENIS
The Dutch Postgraduate School for Art History aims to maintain and support a high level of specialized research in the field of art history by offering education and regularly organizing meetings for her members. The education program is directed towards research master students and PhD students working on a doctoral thesis. Tailored courses are on offer each year.
Website: https://onderzoekschoolkunstgeschiedenis.nl/
THIS MASTER AND OUR SOCIETY
This programme provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to gain admission to PhD programmes in your chosen specialisation; you will also be able to conduct independent research and complete your doctoral dissertation. The programme will give you the skills needed for your future career, including pursuing scholarly research to be published in peer-reviewed journals. A large percentage of our graduates starts a PhD programme in the Netherlands or abroad, while others remain in the academic sphere pursuing careers in secondary and higher education, museums, archives, publishing. Other graduates apply their acquired skills in management positions, politics and the cultural sector.
The programme is both academically and socially relevant; by developing your professional skills and your ability to work independently, you will be well prepared for the challenges of the modern employment market. There are possibilities to participate in research projects of our staff and within the programme you have the option of pursuing an internship, which enables you to experience the job market and evaluate the applicability and relevance of your academic skills. The optional Cultural Transfer Track in year 2 can help you find your way towards a career in heritage management of the cultural sector.
In addition, to stimulate career orientation Career Services offers workshops to all students, for which you can register on their website. They offer workshops on the following topics: LinkedIn, writing a curriculum and cover letter, transferable skills, preparing for a job/internship interview and working consciously & effectively.
IMPORTANT FOR HUMANITIES STUDENTS
New students students.uu.nl/hum-new Practical information for new students at the Humanities faculty.
Academic calendar students.uu.nl/hum-calendar
Information about days off, course registrations and change-of-enrolment days.
UU online
Information about our online systems and how to log in: students.uu.nl/hum-online In need of a manual? IT manuals: https://manuals.uu.nl/en
REGISTRATION, PROCEDURES, INTERNSHIP INFO
Student Information Desk Humanities students.uu.nl/hum-contact
Programme related matters, such as
• course registration
• course schedules
• study results & study progress (Osiris)
• graduation
Student Services students.uu.nl/en/contact/student-services
Studying at Utrecht University in general:
• registration as a UU student
• tuition fees
• elite athletes
• disability or chronic illness
Internship coordinator students.uu.nl/hum-internshipcoordinator
Information about:
• guidelines and procedures
• internship placements
QUESTIONS ABOUT ENTERING THE JOB MARKET
Career Services students.uu.nl/hum-careerservices
Advice on getting a job after graduation through workshops, CV check-up, and coaching. Your programme coordinator will inform you about programme-specific events.
NEED EXTRA HELP?
Study advisor: students.uu.nl/hum-studyadvisor
Student psychologist: students.uu.nl/psychologist
Workshops: Skills Lab: students.uu.nl/en-skillslab
THINKING OF GOING ABROAD?
International office Humanities: students.uu.nl/hum-io
OTHER FACILITIES
University Library: students.uu.nl/hum-library
Olympos sports centre: olympos.nl/en-us/home.aspx
Parnassos cultural centre: uu.nl/en/parnassos
FACT! You can find your grades, student card and timetable in the MyUU portal and the MyUU app: students.uu.nl/en/myuu and students.uu.nl/en/ myuu-app
FACT! In the second semester, you will have to register in Osiris for courses you wish to attend. If you want to switch courses, you can do so on the change-ofenrolment days before the start of the relevant block.
FACT! Deadlines are always listed in the course syllabus, which your lecturer will provide approximately 2 weeks prior to the course’s ’start.
FACT! If you need more information about specific aspects of your programme, e.g. internships or thesis, please see the Curriculum page on the programme website via students.uu.nl/hum.
FACT! Check students. uu.nl/hum-studentlife for information about living, jobs, sports and leisure in Utrecht!
© June 2023. Utrecht University, Faculty of Humanities. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in this factsheet is correct and up to date. Utrecht University cannot be held liable for any false, inaccurate, or incomplete information presented herein.
