Part II: A Cross-Country Checkup A. Universities

Conceived as a pulse-check for medieval studies in Canada, this project found that the pulse is pounding. Universities that had hitherto not replaced retired medievalists now appear to be so doing. Many of us are expanding or developing courses, and especially programs, in medieval studies at the undergraduate level. The evidence provided in these pages is by no means all positive, but for every lament or conclusion that the bleak future will be odd mentions of our field in classes about medievalism or Harry Potter or Arvo Part, there appears here a paean of praise to new life and new accomplishments. Sometimes, though surprisingly infrequently, these new accomplishments have to do with integrating our work into the new academic world of cultural studies—especially since, as we all know, cultural studies did not start with the first Batman comic. This trend may well accelerate, particularly as we find our balance in this new world of students obsessed by role-playing games, Lord of the Rings, and the effects of religious fervour on human endeavour. At the same time, we seem to be standing firm on the traditional courses which anchor our field, with undergraduate program requirements in Latin or in at least two disciplines, and with introductory courses focused on classic medieval themes or centuries.