Reading Groups & Societies

Cambridge Reading Groups and Societies

The Medieval Reading Group
We are an informal, graduate-led reading group, which aims to provide a forum for the discussion of medieval texts, theory and criticism. We also hope to foster interdisciplinary approaches and warmly encourage the participation of historians, art historians, theologians, etc. The format of the reading group varies, from contributions from graduates in the form of giving short papers or introductions to topics and authors, to practical criticism and debate, to reviewing recent publications in the field. We also consider the reading group to be an important place to get to know each other better, to have an opportunity to talk about our individual research interests, and to share knowledge and experience. We have posted a schedule of meetings for Michaelmas Term of this year.

Medieval Philosophy and Science Reading Group
This group meets weekly in term on Wednesdays from 1.00pm to 2.00pm in L1 Great Court, Trinity College, and members are invited to bring along their lunch if they wish. We shall be reading al-Farabi’s commentary on ‘De interpretatione’ by Aristotle, using the translation by F. Zimmermann (OUP).

Enquiries to John Marenbon, Trinity College (jm258 (@cam.ac.uk)).

History of Medicine Seminars
History of Medicine seminars meet on Tuesdays in Michaelmas and Lent Terms, alternating between Early Medicine and Natural Philosophy seminars and History of Modern Medicine and Biology seminars. The programme for Michaelmas Term will appear on the seminar's website before the start of term.

Latin Therapy Group
The Latin Therapy Group meets on Fridays at 4pm in the HPS lodge (ask in the Dept.) during term to practise the art of translation, improve our Latin grammar, and determine who deserves the most sympathy on account of the difficulty of their sources - all in a mutually supportive environment! Well-known (usually classical) texts of relevance to the history of science are studied, as well as texts on which members of the group are working. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Jason Rampelt (jmr57 (@cam.ac.uk)).

GEMS: The Cambridge Group of Early Medievalists
For information regarding meeting times and GEMS projects and conferences, contact Charles West (cmaw2 (@cam.ac.uk)) or Julian Hendrix (jh421 (@cam.ac.uk)).

Medieval Archaeology Group
The Medieval Archaeology Group holds regular seminars every fortnight on a Monday at 1pm and there will also be a wine reception towards the end of term. Further information is available from Catherine Hills (ch35 (@cam.ac.uk)) or Aleks Pluskowski (agp21 (@cam.ac.uk)).

The London Society for Medieval Studies
The aim of the London Society for Medieval Studies is to bring medievalists from around the country to a London audience at a time when people not necessarily engaged in academic work can attend meetings, and to present up-to-date research to this broad audience. Although the LSMS is not affiliated with Cambridge, graduate students from any university are very welcome, and London is just a short train-ride away! There may be a small attendance fee for non-members. For more information, please contact Anne Robbins (a_robbins (@btinternet.com)) or write to The London Society for Medieval Studies, Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU. Please click here for their calendar of seminars this year, and here for their membership application form.