Cornell's distinctive field system allows ample opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary work in Renaissance studies either as a major or minor subject of the graduate Field. Each student registers in one of Cornell's major Fields of study and selects a Special Committee of faculty advisors to direct his or her doctoral program. The Special Committee may be composed of faculty from various disciplines within the university. According to the student's needs, it will adivise each in his or her plans for a broadly based interdisciplinary study of Renaissance culture. After being admitted to his or her chosen Field, the student can define Renaissance studies as either a major or a minor concentration within that field. For example, within a traditional program of graduate study in history, literature, history of art, or music, a student may designate a focus on Renaissance culture with course work and research in other areas where Cornell has noted strengths, such as Marxism, medieval studies, modern critical theory, semiotics, and women's studies. Appropriate courses are offered each year in the Fields of classics, comparative literature, English, Germanic studies, history, history of art, history of science, linguistics, music, philosophy, and the French, Italian, and Spanish literature sections of Romance studies.