Dr. Michael Penn

Professor

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Biography

Michael Penn is the Teresa Hihn Moore Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University, specializing in the history of early Christianity with a particular focus on Middle Eastern Christians and the Aramaic dialect of Syriac. His publications include 'Kissing Christians: Ritual and Community in the Late Ancient Church' (2005) and two significant works on Christian-Muslim relations, including 'Envisioning Islam: Syriac Christians in the Early Muslim World' (2015) and 'Christians Meet Muslims: A Source Book of the Earliest Syriac Writings on Islam' (2015). Professor Penn has received numerous prestigious awards from organizations such as the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation and the American Council of Learned Societies. He is currently involved in a collaboration supported by the Andrew Mellon Foundation to analyze ancient Aramaic manuscripts using advanced computerized handwriting analysis. His professional experience also includes teaching roles at Mount Holyoke College and Brandeis University, along with research positions at notable institutions like Apple, NASA, and the Weizmann Institute in Israel.

Research Interests

Courses

CLASSICS 43 HISTORY 111B JEWISHST 86 RELIGST 86 CLASSICS 262 FEMGEN 262 FEMGEN 362R RELIGST 262 RELIGST 362 RELIGST 391 CLASSICS 9N HISTORY 112C JEWISHST 4 RELIGST 4 RELIGST 390 RELIGST 199 RELIGST 389 RELIGST 392 RELIGST 384 RELIGST 388 RELIGST 297

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.