Dr. Mauro Nobili

Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

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

Biography

Mauro Nobili is a historian specializing in pre-colonial and early-colonial West Africa. His research focuses on the political and intellectual history of Muslim societies in the region during the late Middle Ages to the early colonial period, particularly in modern-day Mali. Nobili has conducted extensive research in various archives containing Arabic manuscripts across West Africa and Europe, including in France, Denmark, and Britain. His publications include articles in journals such as History Africa and African History, as well as book chapters and monographs. His recent book, titled 'Sultan, Caliph, Renewer of Faith: Aḥmad Lobbo, Tārīkh al-Fattāsh and Making an Islamic State in Nineteenth-Century West Africa', published by Cambridge University Press in 2020, reconstructs the complex histories of authority and legitimization in the context of the Caliphate Ḥamdallāhi. He is currently working on several projects, including an NEH-sponsored scholarly edition and translation project. Nobili's work aims to explore the interconnected histories of regional political figures and the influence of imperial ambitions on West African agency.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Teaching and conducting research in African History.

Awards

#

Conrad Humanities Scholar

#

Helen Corley Petit Scholar

#

List Teachers Ranked Excellent

#

List Teachers Ranked Excellent

#

Lincoln Excellence Assistant Professor Scholar

#

Center Advanced Studies, Faculty Associate Fellowship

#

George S. & Gladys W. Queen Award for Excellence in Teaching History

#

List Teachers Ranked Excellent

#

List Teachers Ranked Excellent

#

Humanities Released Time Program

#

List Teachers Ranked Excellent

#

A.W. Mellon Young Scholars Award

Courses

HIST 101 History HIST 110 History Africa HIST 199 Independent Undergraduate Studies HIST 200 Introduction Historical Interpretation HIST 213 African Muslim Cultures HIST 495 Honors Research Writing HIST 498 Research Writing Seminar HIST 510 Problems African History HIST 594 Intro Historical Writing HIST 597 Reading Course

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.