Dr. Rita Copeland

Biography

Rita Copeland is the Sheli Z. Burton Professor of Humanities at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches Classical Studies, English, and Comparative Literature. Her research principally focuses on medieval literature and its intersections with history, rhetoric, and the evolution of emotional discourse. She has published several influential books including 'Emotion History Rhetoric Middle Ages' and 'Oxford History Classical Reception English Literature vol. 1, 800-1558'. Copeland's work critically examines representations of intellectual life in pre-modern Europe and the rhetorical culture of late antiquity. She contributes significantly to the field through her editorial roles, including her position as founding editor of the annual 'New Medieval Literatures'. Copeland's teaching covers a wide range of subjects, including medieval poetics, literary theory, and the reception of classical texts. She has held notable fellowships and participated in research groups examining historical approaches to scripture. Her academic engagements reflect a deep commitment to advancing the understanding of medieval education and rhetoric across various languages and traditions.

Research Interests