Cynthia M. Baker

Cynthia M. Baker is a Professor of Religious Studies and Department Chair at Bates College. Her research focuses on gender, race/ethnicity, and nationalism in formative Judaism and Christianity, alongside modern historiography. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from Wesleyan University.

Teaching interests include courses on religious violence, biblical studies, gender and Judaism, and film portrayals of Jesus. Her recent book Jew received critical acclaim, featured in the New York Times and highlighted by the Los Angeles Review of Books.

• Key Expertise: Early Christian studies, Rabbinic Judaism, feminist/queer theory, historiography of religion
• Awards: ALA 'Highly Recommended' designation for her book

Additional activities include collaborations with institutions like the Portland Museum of Art and participation in podcasts such as Adventures in Jewish Studies and Bates Multifaith Chaplaincy Podcast.