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. Her research focuses on intellectual, religious, and gender history in the medieval Islamic world, specifically pertaining to Spain and Iran, as well as the history of Islam in the United States and Europe. She explores the intersections between material culture and monotheisms in the Mediterranean. Spellberg's work is interdisciplinary, taking a global approach to Islamic Studies rather than confining itself to specific local contexts. She is known for her acclaimed book, 'Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders' (Knopf, 2013), which offers new insights about the relationship between Islam and American founding ideals. She also authored 'Politics, Gender, and the Islamic Past: The Legacy of 'A'isha bint Abi Bakr' (Columbia, 1994), which investigates the role of women in the formation of Islamic history. As an educator, she teaches a variety of courses related to Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic history, including undergraduate and graduate seminars that examine historiography and the narratives of Islam in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Research Interests

Awards

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Carnegie Foundation Scholarship

2009-10-01
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Foreign Research Lectureship

2004-01-01
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National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship

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Grand Prize

2014-10-15
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Nonfiction Finalist

2014-09-30
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I-CAIR Faith Freedom Award

2014-11-11
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Dost Book Prize

2009-01-01
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Harry Ransom Teaching Award

2006-01-01
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Dad’s Centennial Teaching Fellowship

2003-01-01
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President’s Associates Teaching Award for Excellence in History

Courses

Islamic Spain/North Africa 1492 Middle East: Religious, Cultural, Historical Foundations Islam in the U.S.

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.