معرفی
James Grehan is a Professor of History in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland State University. His office is located in CH 441-T, and he can be reached at grehanjp@pdx.edu.
Educational Background:
- Ph.D. in History from University of Texas at Austin
Research Interests: Professor Grehan specializes in early modern and modern Middle Eastern history, with particular expertise in the Ottoman Empire. His research encompasses social and cultural history, world history, and the everyday experiences of people in Ottoman societies. His work examines how ordinary people lived, consumed goods, practiced religion, and formed communities in cities like Damascus and Aleppo.
His scholarly approach combines microhistorical studies of everyday life with broader analyses of imperial transformations. He has conducted extensive research on consumer culture in eighteenth-century Damascus, religious practices in Ottoman Syria and Palestine, and social interactions in Ottoman urban centers.
Research Trends: Professor Grehan's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the intersection of religion, culture, and society in the Ottoman Middle East. His work spans from detailed studies of tobacco consumption debates to comprehensive analyses of saint veneration practices, revealing how local communities navigated imperial changes and maintained their identities through everyday practices.
Scientific Awards:
- 2015: Fuat Köprülü Prize for Best Book in Ottoman and Turkish Studies (awarded by Ottoman and Turkish Studies Association for Twilight of the Saints)
- 2015: Biennial Prize for Best Book in Syrian Studies (awarded by Syrian Studies Association for Twilight of the Saints)
Teaching and Mentoring: Professor Grehan teaches a diverse range of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including:
- HST 300: Historical Imagination
- HST 382: Palestine and Israel
- HST 384: Ottoman World (1300-1700)
- HST 385: Late Imperial Middle East (1700-1914)
- HST 386: The Middle East in the Twentieth Century
- HST 490/590: Early Modern World
- HST 490/590: Making of the Modern World (1700-1914)
- HON 407: Mind Your Manners
His teaching spans from broad world history surveys to specialized courses on Middle Eastern history, demonstrating his commitment to both general education and specialized training in Middle Eastern studies.
