Of course, there wasn’t a single medieval curriculum In The 12th Century. However, there was unquestionably a unified educational approach. We’ll be analyzing that here.
Keep in mind that students in the medieval era frequently enrolled in university at the age of 14, and the average length of study was six years.
So, if you were to attend university in the 12th century, you would likely be studying the liberal arts, which were seen as the foundation of a proper education.
The liberal arts consisted of the Trivium — which consists of grammar, logic, and rhetoric…and the Quadrivium —which has to do with arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.
In the area of grammar, you would study the Rules Of Language and the Proper Use Of Words & Phrases. You would also study Classical Literature, such as works by Virgil, Ovid, and Homer. The study of Logic, also known as dialectic, would focus on the process of reasoning and the structure of arguments.
Rhetoric would teach you the art of persuasion and the use of language in public speaking.
In the quadrivium, arithmetic would cover basic mathematical concepts such as numbers, operations, and measurements.
Geometry would concern the study of shapes, sizes, and positions of figures. Music would include the study of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Astronomy would focus on the study of the stars, planets, and celestial bodies.
In addition to these subjects, you would also likely study Theology, which was considered the most vital field of study in the Middle Ages. You would learn about the Bible, Christian theology, and the writings of the Church Fathers.
As part of your education, you would also likely be taught Latin, which was the language of education and the Church at the time. This would be important for reading and understanding the texts that were used in your studies.
Overall, university education in the 12th century would have been mostly focused on the liberal arts and theology, with a robust focus on classical literature, logic, and language.
University education in this era would have been strict and challenging but would have equipped you for a career in the Church or the service of the elite.
