Dr. Marcus Keller

Biography

Marcus Keller is an Associate Professor in the Department of French & Italian at the University of Illinois. He specializes in Early Modern French Literature, focusing on the cultural and political aspects of literature from the 16th and 17th centuries. His research explores French orientalist discourses and their connections to the Islamic Ottoman Empire, particularly in the context of Renaissance France. Keller is currently finalizing a book manuscript titled "Thinking Turk: Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and Paradigms of Renaissance France", and has notable works including the edited collection "Dialectics of Orientalism in Early Modern Europe" and contributions to publications such as "L'Esprit Créateur". His teaching interests cover a range of topics, from the emergence of national consciousness in early modern texts to the impact of globalization on representation during the sixteenth century. Keller also engages with contemporary Belgian literature and its historical implications, emphasizing a critical approach to the colonial history of Belgium.

Research Interests