James White

James White is a Lecturer in the Department of History, Classics, & Religion at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts. He specializes in late medieval Europe, focusing on the body, gender, and religion in Christianity. Originally from Nashville, he pursued his PhD in Edmonton and remains affiliated with the institution. He teaches courses on pre-modern and early modern world history, historiography, medieval Europe, and the history of Christianity.

Education: Holds a PhD in History from the University of Alberta (no specific degree details beyond this are provided).

Research Interests: Examines theological debates around relics such as the Holy Foreskin in late medieval Christianity, exploring how figures like Agnes Blannbekin, Birgitta of Sweden, and Catherine of Siena navigated sainthood and relic veneration. Current work interrogates medieval Christian anti-Jewish narratives on circumcision, despite their veneration of a circumcised Savior. Uses affective piety frameworks and gender studies to analyze medieval religious practices.

Teaching: Offers courses including HIST 110 (Pre-Modern World), HIST 111 (Early Modern World), HIST 207 (Medieval Europe), HIST 297 (History of Christianity), and seminar topics like medieval masculinity and female saints. Plans to launch a study abroad course tracing medieval pilgrimage routes from Paris to Santiago de Compostela.

Labs/Teams: Co-founder of the Bodies and Being working group, which investigates pre-modern bodily understandings and societal roles.