Maria Tedesco

Maria Tedesco serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies within the College of Arts and Sciences at Seattle University. Based at the First Hill campus, she is an active faculty member with contact email tedescom@seattleu.edu and phone 206-296-5405. Her role emphasizes teaching and student engagement in Islamic and religious studies.

Her academic credentials include:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy
• Master of Arts (MA) in Islamic Studies from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' in Naples, Italy
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Islamic Studies from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale'

Research Interests: Professor Tedesco's scholarship bridges Islamic studies, political theology, and political science, with concentrated analysis of contemporary Islamic political movements across Middle Eastern and American contexts. Her work critically examines gender dynamics within Islamic frameworks and promotes understanding of religious diversity in political engagement. Publications appear in the Journal of Political Theology and academic edited collections addressing Islamic political thought.

Teaching: She implements a student-centered pedagogical approach across courses including "Introduction to Islam", "Gender and Sexuality in Islam", "Islam and Politics", and "Religion, Conflict and Peace". These classes emphasize interactive learning and expose students to diverse religious interpretations, practices, and movements while fostering critical analysis of societal implications.