Faculty & Student Accomplishments

Prof. Catlos to be featured author at Jaipur Literary Festival, 22–27 January

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:15:23 +0000

Prof. Catlos to be featured author at Jaipur Literary Festival, 22–27 January Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/23/2019 - 09:15

Prof. Brian A. Catlos will be a featured author at the Jaipur Literary Festival taking place from 22–27 January at the Diggi Palace in Jaipur, India. In a session sponsored by the Agha Khan Foundation he will be interviewed by best-selling author, William Dalrymple, regarding Catlos’s recent book, Kingdoms of Faith. A New History of Islamic Spain (Basic: 2018). The largest free literary festival in the world, past speakers have ranged from Nobel Laureates J.M. Coetzee, Orhan Pamuk and Muhammad Yunus, Man Booker Prize winners Ben Okri, Margaret Atwood and Paul Beatty. An annual event that goes beyond literature, the Festival has also hosted Amartya Sen, Amitabh Bachchan, the late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Fry, Thomas Piketty and former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai.

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Humanities Faculty in the News: "Play Therapy"

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 03:27:24 +0000

Humanities Faculty in the News: "Play Therapy" Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 11/10/2019 - 20:27

Read the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Today article about Associate Professor Oliver Gerland's play "Play Therapy," running from Nov. 7-10!

Inclusive casting brings all abilities on stage for ‘Play Therapy’

From the article: “I’ve found that creating theater with people whose minds work differently than typical and who come into the room with a different set of talents and qualities is extremely exciting,” [Oliver Gerland] said.

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Brian Catlos’s Kingdoms of Faith

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 02:04:28 +0000

Brian Catlos’s Kingdoms of Faith Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/26/2018 - 20:04

Brian Catlos’s Kingdoms of Faith. A New History of Islamic Spainto

Brian Catlos’s recent book Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain (Basic: 2018) has just been published in Spanish as Reinos de fe. Una nueva historia de la España musulmana by Pasado y Presente, with a prologue by leading Spanish historian, Eduardo Manzano.

Translations to Polish, German, Korean, and Simplified and Complex Chinese.

A magisterial, myth-dispelling history of Islamic Spain spanning the millennium between the founding of Islam in the seventh century and the final expulsion of Spain's Muslims in the seventeenth In Kingdoms of Faith, award-winning historian Brian A. Catlos rewrites the history of Islamic Spain from the ground up, evoking the cultural splendor of al-Andalus, while offering an authoritative new interpretation of the forces that shaped it. Prior accounts have portrayed Islamic Spain as a paradise of enlightened tolerance or the site where civilizations clashed. Catlos taps a wide array of primary sources to paint a more complex portrait, showing how Muslims, Christians, and Jews together built a sophisticated civilization that transformed the Western world, even as they waged relentless war against each other and their coreligionists. Religion was often the language of conflict, but seldom its cause–a lesson we would do well to learn in our own time.

Advance praise:

“This is a lively and interesting new account of medieval Spain and Portugal which steers away from the usual stereotypes and gives us a new, and much more nuanced account of relations and interactions between the various communities and faith groups in the peninsula.”
—Hugh Kennedy, professor of Arabic at SOAS, University of London, and author of Caliphate: The History of an Idea and Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus

“Brian Catlos'sKingdoms of Faithoffers an insightful and nuanced view of Islamic Spain from its origins in the eighth century to the poignant demise of Islamic presence, as exemplifed by his brilliant reflection on Cervantes's fictional Morisco character, Ricote. Based upon a masterly command of sources and the secondary literature, Catlos eschews the hyperbolic descriptions of Islam in Iberia and the exaggerated claims of tolerance while, at the same time, showing its many accomplishments and enduring legacy. It is a brilliant, well-written, and well-researched book that will force historians to see the Islamic presence in the peninsula in a new light.”

—Teofilo Ruíz, distinguished professor of history, UCLA

“In Kingdoms of Faith, Brian A. Catlos takes us through the kaleidoscopic interplay of Muslim-Christian relations, bringing clarity to a complex narrative. His deft analysis illuminates the forces brought to bear in creating both the myth and reality of life in 'Moorish' Spain.”

— Thomas F. Glick, professor of history, emeritus, Boston University, and author ofIslamic and Christian Spain in the Early Middle Ages and From Muslim Fortress to Christian Castle

“Mediterranean studies have been shaped in an informative and innovative way by Brian Catlos’ contributions in the recent decades. His incursion now into the history of a specific region and polity – that of al-Andalus (Medieval Iberia under Muslim rule) - brings to the fore the same qualities that characterize his previous work: an inquisitive and incisive mind that hones in on perceptive questions, combined with the ability to recreate past events in an appealing manner for a wide audience.”

— Maribel Fierro, Research Professor, Institute of Languages and Cultures of the Mediterranean, CSIC (Madrid), and editor of The Western Islamic world: eleventh to eighteenth centuries (The New Cambridge History of Islam, II)

“Kingdoms of Faith constitutes a fresh and original contribution to the history of al-Andalus, rooted in the author's profound knowledge of medieval iberian history. Catlos has managed to produce a very well-written and lively narrative that provides an up-to-date synthesis of the most recent developments in this field of history.”

— Alejandro García Sanjuán, professor of History, University of Huelva, and author of Coexistencia y conflictos : minorías religiosas en la Península Ibérica durante la Edad Media

Kingdoms of Faith will be published in the UK by Hurst, translations in German (Frankfurt: Beck Verlag), Simplified Chinese (Beijing: Gingko), and Complex Chinese (Taipei: Owl Press) are forthcoming.

Brian Catlos’s previous books include:

• The Victors and the Vanquished: Christians and Muslims of Catalonia and Aragon, 1050–1300 (Cambridge: 2004) – co-winner of the John E. Fagg Prize for the best book in Spanish and Latin American History (2005) and the biennial Premio del Rey for the best book in Spanish history before 1512 (2006) from the American Historical Association

• Infidel Kings and Unholy Warriors: Power, Faith and Violence in the Age of Crusade and Jihad(Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, 2014) – honorable mention in the 2015 PROSE Awards

• Muslims of Latin Christendom, ca. 1050–1614(Cambridge: 2014) – winner of the Albert Hourani Prize for the best book on Middle Eastern and Islamic History from the Middle East Studies Association (2014); winner of the Charles Homer Haskins Medal for a distinguished book on Medieval Studies from the Medieval Academy of America (2018); winner of the Kayden Book Award for best book (triennial) in History and the Arts (2018)

• The Rough Guide to Languedoc and Roussillon (Rough Guides: 2000–)

He also appeared in the PBS documentary: Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain

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Faculty News: Brian Catlos awarded Haskins Medal

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 15:41:47 +0000

Faculty News: Brian Catlos awarded Haskins Medal Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/01/2018 - 08:41

The 2018 Haskins Medal is awarded to Brian A. Catlos for his monograph, Muslims of Medieval Latin Christendom, c. 1050-1614 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015).

Committee members: Richard W. Kaeuper (Chair); Jocelyn Wogen Brown; Alastair Minnis.

Awarding the coveted Charles Homer Haskins Medal to Brian Catlos for his Muslims of Medieval Latin Christendom, c. 1050-1614 might at first be thought to owe much to its character as a truly timely book. Its current relevance is undeniable for its subject is Christian/Muslim relations in a formative period of European and Mediterranean history and one of its merits is presenting that history in a calm and cogent manner, resisting the temptation to over-sensationalize his materials. Yet it is important to state clearly that the medal is awarded even more for the admirable scope of the work and the commendable depth of its scholarship. Here is a truly magisterial study, wherein a scholar in control of an abundance of information inspires confidence in his precise and well-grounded conclusions through clarity, economy and evident good judgment.

This study boldly presents an entire field of crucial interest that has only in relatively recent decades come more sharply into scholarly focus, often through valuable but localized investigations. This book brings the mosaic pieces together, giving the broad view needed at this stage. Both geographically and chronologically comprehensive, the book generates not only a synthesis but a distinctive and creative reinterpretation. It provides the thorough and nuanced analysis that we must have if we are to understand the fascinating vitality in an entire range of interactions as both sides faced challenges that emerged as Muslim societies continued through crusade and conquest to live within Christian territories.

In its breadth of approach and through the commendably tireless investigation of both archival deposits and secondary scholarship from both East and West, the book establishes a model for research and sets a standard for future work which will draw upon its panoramic narrative and its close analysis of particular sites no less than on its breathtaking territorial sweep which takes us from the Iberian peninsula, to Italy, North Africa, the Latin East, Poland and Hungary. A view that so successfully combines telescope and microscope offers critical views on received wisdom that will enliven scholarship for decades.

Happily, it can be said finally that these scholarly heights are not reached at the cost of imposing disappointingly deadening prose on readers. To the contrary, the narrative and argument flow smoothly, bringing the case, often of a revisionist nature, fully to life. Scholars and students (hopefully, merging categories) will read this book with profit for a long time to come.

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Faculty News: Brian Catlos

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 15:46:56 +0000

Faculty News: Brian Catlos Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/14/2017 - 09:46

Brian Catlos’s recent book Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain (Basic: 2018) has just been published in Spanish as Reinos de fe. Una nueva historia de la España musulmana by Pasado y Presente, with a prologue by leading Spanish historian, Eduardo Manzano.
Translations to Polish, German, Korean, and Simplified and Complex Chinese.
Brian Catlos is being given an Award for Service Excellence by the Boulder Faculty Association for his work on Mediterranean Studies and the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Mediterranean Studies Group at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder.
On March 14, 2017 the University Womens’ Club Luncheon Lecture is “From Bob Dylan to Bill Gates: What Does Islam Have to do with Modern Western Culture?” Dr. Brian Catlos is a Professor of Religious Studies at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ-Boulder and is one of the world’s leading figures in the study of Mediterranean history. His work centers on Muslim-Christian-Jewish relations and ethno-religious identity in medieval Europe and the Islamic World. In 2014, he published Infidel Kings and Unholy Warriors: Faith, Power and Violence in the Age of Crusade and Jihad as well as Muslims of Medieval Latin Christendom which won the Albert Hourani Book Prize, the most important award in the field of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.
Dr. Catlos will provide his historical perspective on nationalism and its application to our current national and international political climate with regard to the Middle East and Islam. He will discuss how Islam has affected Western culture including rock and roll, the game of chess, and the digital revolution. Dr. Catlos will address how medieval Spain and the Mediterranean world occupy a crucial place in the evolution of what we call “the West,” and why scholars are reconfiguring deeply rooted notions of where and how western culture originated and developed.
Prof. Brian Catlos has been invited to give the 5th annual Boyce Gray Lecture at Northwestern University on 26 April Sponsored by the History Department and the Chabraja Center for Historical Studies, the lecture series honors the achievements of Prof. Gray Boyce, a medieval historian who served as chairman of the Department of History from 1948 to 1966. Catlos’s talk is entitled, “Foreigners in their Own Lands: The Muslims of Medieval Europe.”

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Careers for Humanities Graduates: Professional Photography

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Careers for Humanities Graduates: Professional Photography Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/15/2012 - 00:00

After graduation, Humanities students have the knowledge and skill to pursue a myriad of careers. Stephanie Strauss graduated from ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ in Spring 2011. Since then, she has moved to Chicago, IL and is pursuing a career in professional photography.

Currently, Stephanie works as the photographer at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, taking editorial photographs for university publications in labs and classrooms, as well as events on and off campus. Additionally, she takes studio portraits of medical and podiatry students for their residency applications.

Before working at Rosalind Franklin, Stephanie was (and occasionally still is) doing freelance photography for various organizations around the Chicago area, including individual portraits for LinkedIn profile photos, as well as event photography for the non-profit, Youth Build, The Chicago Scholars organization, and other individuals and companies.

Beyond work, Stephanie assists with a karate class for an hour each week prior to taking her own class, and rides her bike for fun.

Are you a Humanities major? What career path are you considering?

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Humanities Majors Around the World

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Humanities Majors Around the World Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 06/08/2012 - 00:00

Humanities majors are taking the world by storm! This summer and coming fall, fourteen Humanities students are traveling the globe and enhancing their educations:

Summer 2012

Global Seminar: Art in Spain
Nicole Avant

Global Seminar: Democracy & Development in Bolivia
Alina Odom

CIEE France: Paris Language & Culture
Emmaline Barber

Global Seminar: Film and the French Aesthetic
Chelsea Avery
Haley Campbell
Abigail Clarke
Dominic Smith

Photo Credit: njtrout_2000

Fall 2012

SIT China: Language, Cultures, and Ethnic Minorities
Alina Odom

ISA Spain: Granada Hispanic Studies
Mcgavock Gayden

CIEE France: Paris Critical Studies
Kathryn Flexner

ISA Czech Republic: Prague Liberal Arts
Stefani Soychak

Akita International University (Japan)
Dominic Smith

Happy and safe travels to all!

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Humanities Major Wins Thompson Writing Award

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Humanities Major Wins Thompson Writing Award Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/06/2012 - 00:00

Humanities major Jennifer Burnham was awarded first place for undergraduate fiction this year in the Center of the American West’s Thompson Awards for Western American Writing.

Each year, thanks to the generosity and kind support of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ alumni Jeannie and Jack Thompson, the Center of the American West awards cash prizes to talented ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ students writing on Western topics. Judges from a broad range of scholarship and specialties seek writing with vibrancy and appeal to a broad, informed audience. Categories include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and memoir/essay. The contest culminated in April with a dazzling awards banquet to honor the winners and the many participating judges.

Jennifer Burnham is an English and Humanities major and Ethnic Studies minor. She is also a full-time employee at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder. Her area of academic focus is the examination of realized and non-realized Native American Indian stereotypes and empirical epistemologies in contemporary speculative fiction. Her award-winning piece, “Two Trails I Remember,” is situated in the four corners region. The most challenging aspect of this story is to bring attention to American Indian stereotypes while offering an alternative narration as a non-Native writer. The novel is expected to be complete by September of 2012.

Please enjoy “Two Trails I Remember” and other winning pieces on the Thompson Awards for Western American Writing website.

Congratulations, Jennifer!

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Brian Catlos Named Associate at UCLA

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Brian Catlos Named Associate at UCLA Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/05/2012 - 00:00

Humanities faculty member Brian Catlos (History: UC Santa Cruz/Religious Studies: ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder), has been named as an Associate of theUCLA Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Catlos is co-director of The Mediterranean Seminar/ UC Multicampus Research Project and co-convenor of the University of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Mediterranean Studies Group. Through the Mediterranean Seminar, Catlos has collaborated with the CMRS on various projects over the last three years, and looks forward to continuing and deepening this collaboration, and establishing links between the CMRS and ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder.

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‘The Winter’s Tale’

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:00:00 +0000

‘The Winter’s Tale’ Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/25/2011 - 00:00

The Humanities Program’s very own Shirley Carnahan and Giulia Bernardini will star in the Shakespeare Oratorio Society’s staged reading of ‘The Winter’s Tale’!

Come see them perform for free:

Tuesday, November 1st (6pm, Boulder Public Library Canyon Theatre)

or Wednesday, November 2nd (7pm, California Actors Theater at Twin Peaks Mall, Longmont).

Break a leg!

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