Dr. Christopher Tounsel

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Christopher Tounsel. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Christopher Tounsel is an associate professor in the Department of History at the University of Washington, specializing in modern Sudan with a focus on the intersections of race, religion, and political technologies. He is the author of "Chosen Peoples: Christianity and Political Imagination in South Sudan" (Duke University Press, 2021), which explores how Southern Sudanese intellectuals utilized Judeo-Christian scriptures in their revolutionary efforts against the Sudanese state. Tounsel's upcoming work, "Bounds of Blackness: African Americans, Sudan, and Politics of Solidarity" (Cornell University Press, 2024), analyzes the approaches African Americans have taken towards the Sudanese state from the late nineteenth century through the Obama administration. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in esteemed journals, including the African Studies Review and the Journal of African American History and serves as an associate editor for Global Black Thought. Tounsel has received funding from prestigious organizations such as the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and he actively engages with current Sudanese and South Sudanese affairs through commentary and interviews with major media outlets. As a dedicated educator, he teaches various courses, helping students navigate the complex histories of Africa and comparative ethnic and nationalist histories.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2020-01-01 — Present

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

Associate Professor specializing in modern Sudan and related fields.

Awards

#2025

Honorable Mention

2025-01-01
#2025

Honorable Mention

2025-01-01
#2022

Finalist

2022-01-01
#2022

Finalist

2022-01-01

Requirements for University of Washington

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:105
Overall
Required:105
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • English proficiency scores (for international students)
Specialization Notes

Standard Graduate School requirements for University of Washington apply to most departments listed unless specified otherwise by the program.