Dr. Denise Spellberg

Professor

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Biography

Denise Spellberg is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of Texas at Austin, and she is also affiliated with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, the Program in Islamic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, Medieval Studies, and American Studies. Her research focuses on intellectual, religious, and gender history in the medieval Islamic world, particularly regarding Iran and North Africa, as well as Islam and Muslims in early modern and contemporary Europe and the United States. She has authored several significant works, including "Politics, Gender, and Islamic Past" (1994) and "Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders" (2013), the latter of which has been translated into Indonesian and Arabic. Currently, she is working on a book titled "‘A’isha: Islamic Historical Tradition and Life," and she has published works on the legacy of ‘A’isha bint Abi Bakr. Dr. Spellberg completed her Ph.D. in History at Columbia University in 1989, following her MPhil and MA from the same institution. She holds a BA in History from Smith College.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

2015-01-01 — Present

Honors Program, Department of History • University of Texas at Austin

Oversees the Honors Program in the Department of History.

Chair

2011-01-01 — 2012-01-01

Asia, Africa, Middle East Area Committee • University of Texas at Austin

Led the committee focusing on Asian, African, and Middle Eastern historical studies.

Member

2008-01-01 — Present

Program Committee, American Historical Association •

Contributed to program planning and development.

Member

2015-01-01 — 2016-01-01

Board Advisors, National Museum of American Religion •

Provided advisory support for the museum's projects.

Awards

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Robert W. Hamilton Book Award

2014-01-01
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I-CAIR Faith Freedom Award

2014-01-01
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Dost ("Friend") Book Prize

2009-01-01
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Scholarship

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Teaching Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction

2006-01-01
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Centennial Teaching Fellowship

2003-01-01
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President's Associates Teaching Excellence Award

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.