James Palmitessa

James Palmitessa is an Associate Professor of History at Western Michigan University's Department of History. His research focuses on Central Europe during the late medieval and early modern periods, particularly the impact of Habsburg rule on Prague's urban communities. He explores themes like religion, social structures, and material culture in multi-confessional societies.

Education: Ph.D. in History from New York University (1995).

Research Interests: Central European urban history, religious reform, political centralization, and the socio-economic dynamics of cities like Prague during the 16th–17th centuries. He regularly presents at international conferences in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Teaching: Courses include European history surveys, the Thirty Years’ War, the European witch-hunt, and study-abroad programs in Central Europe. Graduate seminars cover crime and law, religion in early modern Europe, and material culture.

Professional Affiliations: Member of the Medieval Institute and affiliated with the Global and International Studies Program at WMU.