The Department offers many opportunities to engage with Medieval and Early Modern literature and culture. In association with the Program in Medieval Studies, we promote the study of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period within the framework of gender studies, animal studies, political philosophy, and literary studies. Our faculty members and graduate students take advantage of the rich collections of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, which are particularly strong in our areas. As members of the Newberry Renaissance Consortium, we sponsor research opportunities for faculty and graduate students at the Newberry Library in Chicago.