Caroline Seymour-Jorn

Caroline Seymour-Jorn is a Professor in the Department of Comparative Literature and affiliated with the Global Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Chicago (1995) and has expertise in Arabic Literature, Egyptian culture, and Middle Eastern studies. Her research focuses on Arab women writers, youth in the Middle East, and American Muslim communities, particularly in Milwaukee. She collaborates on projects like the Muslim Milwaukee Project, examining racialized landscapes and Islamophobia. She teaches courses on world literature, cultural studies, and translation, including Arabic-to-English translation. Her work bridges anthropology and literature, as seen in her book Cultural Criticism in Egyptian Women's Writing (2011) and articles analyzing socio-cultural dynamics in Muslim communities. She advises students through programs like the UROP Apprenticeship and contributes to interdisciplinary research teams.

Education:

• PhD in Anthropology, University of Chicago, 1995
• MA in Anthropology, University of Chicago, 1990
• BA in Modern Standard Arabic & Modern Greek, Summa Cum Laude with Honors, 1987

Research Interests:

• Arabic literature and its socio-political contexts
• Egyptian cultural production and arts
• Youth activism and identity in the Middle East
• Intersection of race, ethnicity, and religion among American Muslims

Recent Publications Highlight: Her 2018 article in Contemporary Islam explores social justice activism among Milwaukee Muslims, while her 2014 studies in Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs address urban spatial dynamics and Islamophobia. Her 2002 critique of global imperialism through Arab literature demonstrates her long-standing engagement with critical cultural narratives.