Andrea Stanton
Associate Professor and Chair
What I do
I am Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies. I am also an affiliated faculty member at DU's Center for Middle East Studies.
Specialization(s)
Islamic studies, Middle Eastern history, digital religion, media and politics
Professional Biography
I obtained my MA and PhD in Middle Eastern history from Columbia University, and my BA in history and in religion from Williams College. My research agenda follows two tracks: 20th century Middle Eastern history, focusing on intersections between mass media forms and national or social identities, and 21st century Islam, focusing on intersections between contemporary media forms (mass and individual), state interests, and personal piety. At DU, I teach a range of Islamic studies courses, including: Introduction to Islam, Islam in the United States, Islam and Gender, Islamic Empires, and Common Figures in the Bible and Qur'an. Like my other RLGS colleagues, I also do quite a bit of community engagement and public outreach, giving numerous public talks each year.
Degree(s)
- Ph.D., Middle East History, Columbia University, 2007
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Religion
- Middle East Studies Association
- American Historical Association
- Syrian Studies Association
Media Sources
Research
Coming to the University of Denver entailed shifting from a history to a religious studies department, which has encouraged my research agenda to develop and broaden. My research interests have proceeded along two primary tracks: 20th century Middle Eastern history, with a continuing focus on nation building and technology; and contemporary manifestations of piety among Muslims in the United States and the Middle East, with a particular focus on shifts due to the naturalization of nation-state boundaries and changes in technology.
Key Projects
- Interfaith Youth Core
- Supporting JDP Faculty and Students of Color
- Teaching Connected Histories of the Mediterranean
- Religion and Peacebuilding: Public Talk Series
- Religion in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains
Featured Publications
Stanton, Andrea. “Locating Palestine's Summer Residence: Mandate Tourism And National Identity.” Journal of Palestine Studies 47, no. 2, (2018): 44-63.
Stanton, Andrea. “Islamic Emoticons And Religious Authority: Emerging Practices, Shifting Paradigms.” Journal of Contemporary Islam, (2017).
Stanton, Andrea. This Is Jerusalem Calling: State Radio In Mandate Palestine. Austin, USA: University of Texas Press. 2013. 260.
Presentations
- Good conduct through radio listening: BBC Arabic and the fear of Italian propaganda
- Managing the Piety and the Business of Hajj
- The DU Religious Inclusivity Initiative
- Muslim, Jew, Immigrant: Fear of Others in the US Today
Awards
- Kathleen Connolly-Weinert Leader-of-the-Year Award, Theta Alpha Kappa
- Outstanding Faculty Member Award, Joint Ph.D. Program Student Association
