Oren Kosansky

Oren Kosansky is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Lewis & Clark College, where he also directs the Middle East and North African Studies program. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan (2003), an MAT from Binghamton University (1994), and a BA from Brown University (1988). His research focuses on religious practices, Jewish experiences, and national discourse in colonial and postcolonial Morocco, with contributions to Political Economy, Ethnic Studies, and Gender Studies. He teaches courses like Research Theory and Design (SOAN 205) and Senior Thesis (SOAN 400), emphasizing methodological rigor and ethical research practices. His work bridges anthropology, history, and interdisciplinary Jewish studies, exploring themes such as language, pilgrimage, and cultural hybridity. He actively engages in digital humanities projects, including collaborative archives on Moroccan Jewish communities.

• Education: PhD 2003 (University of Michigan), MAT 1994 (Binghamton University), BA 1988 (Brown University)
• Research Interests: Colonial Morocco, Jewish-Muslim relations, cultural identity, pilgrimage practices, and national narratives
• Key Contributions: Edited volumes on Jewish studies intersections and analyses of Moroccan cinema addressing the 'Jewish Question'
• Teaching: Specializes in research methodology and senior thesis supervision, integrating fieldwork ethics and comparative analysis

His publications span ethnographic monographs, edited anthologies, and critical reviews, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue and historical depth. Oren’s work often highlights marginalized voices and entangled histories, challenging conventional categorizations in religious and national identity studies.