Mark Roche

Mark Roche is the Rev. Edmund Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of German Language and Literature and Concurrent Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame's College of Arts and Letters. He has dedicated his career to bridging German literature, philosophy, and film studies, while also contributing to higher education scholarship. Roche earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University (1984) after completing graduate work at Tübingen (1980) and Princeton (1982), and received his B.A. in the History of Ideas from Williams College (1978).

Roche's research spans German literature, philosophical aesthetics, film studies, and theories of ugliness with connections to Christianity and comedy. His teaching includes the Honors Humanities Seminar, exploring works from Homer to contemporary authors. He has received prestigious awards like the Joyce Award (2013) and Kaneb Award (2006) for undergraduate teaching excellence.

Roche's publications include 11 books, focusing on liberal arts, literary studies, and educational philosophy. His recent work explores the intersection of Christianity, modernity, and artistic representations of ugliness. Awards for his books include the Frederic W. Ness Book Award (2012) and Choice Magazine's Outstanding Academic Title (2005).

Scientific Awards:

• 2013 Joyce Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• 2006 Kaneb Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• 2012 Frederic W. Ness Book Award for Why Choose the Liberal Arts?
• 2005 Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Title for Why Literature Matters in the 21st Century