معرفی
Cathleen Fleck is Professor and Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. Her academic leadership includes directing departmental DEI initiatives and co-founding the Center for Research on Global Catholicism.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
- M.A., Johns Hopkins University
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Fleck specializes in medieval Mediterranean art, with research emphases on Crusader-era cultural exchange, Jerusalem’s architectural identities, Islamic and European court art, and the representation of holy sites. She explores how religious and political power is expressed through art and architecture, particularly in the context of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish interactions. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary issues, including the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair’s replica of Jerusalem and its symbolic meanings.
Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on architectural reuse, manuscript studies, and cross-cultural encounters during the Crusades. Themes include spolia, devotional imagery, royal and papal patronage, and the visual construction of legitimacy. Her scholarship spans journals like Viator, Source, and Journal of Transcultural Medieval Studies, as well as major publishers such as Brill, Ashgate, and Routledge.
Her scientific recognition includes:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellow, Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (2023–2024)
- CREST Research Fellow, SLU (2024–2025), focusing on 'The Spatial Turn' and the 'Jerusalem in St. Louis' project
Dr. Fleck leads the 'Artful Observation' initiative, which integrates visual arts training into pre-medical and health sciences curricula to enhance observational and empathetic skills. She has served on numerous university committees and held leadership roles in professional organizations such as the Italian Art Society (President, 2013–2015) and the International Center of Medieval Art. Her research is supported by interdisciplinary collaborations and institutional programming in global Catholicism and DEI.
She is actively involved in academic communities through the National Council of Arts Administrators, College Art Association, Historians of Islamic Art Association, and the Society for the Study of the Crusades and the Latin East. Her departmental leadership has focused on strategic visioning, DEI planning, and faculty development in alignment with national standards from NASAD and Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
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