- Subjects that are now typically separated into different academic disciplines were rarely separated in the Middle Ages; medieval studies let students bring these subjects together in a natural, multidisciplinary way.
- Medieval studies students recreate an understanding of both the unity and diversity of Europe's fascinating civilization in the Middle Ages. By taking courses in related disciplines, students who major or minor in medieval studies can create a valuable complement to another major or minor in one of the participating departments: history, religion or philosophy, art, language and/or literature. Subjects that belong today to separate academic disciplines were rarely so separated in the Middle Ages, and it is therefore appropriate that students be given an opportunity to bring these subjects together again.
- The great diversity of regional cultures in medieval Europe was balanced by a conscious attempt to hold to a unified view of the world that embraced religious and social ideals, Latin and vernacular literature, and music and the visual arts.
- The medieval studies major and minor provide students with an opportunity to re-create for themselves, through courses in a variety of related disciplines, an understanding of the unity and of the diversity of European civilization in the Middle Ages. The medieval studies major and minor are designed so that they can form valuable complements to a major or minor in one of the participating departments.