Reem Abou-Samra

Reem Abou-Samra is an Adjunct Faculty Instructor in the Islamic Studies department within the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences at the University of Detroit Mercy. She is a researcher, activist, and teacher with expertise spanning multiple disciplines related to Islamic studies, political science, and American identity.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Political Science from Wayne State University
• M.A. in Political Science from Wayne State University
• M.A. in Classical Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures from Wayne State University
• B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts

Dr. Abou-Samra's research focuses on Islamic Exceptionalism, using exegetical approaches to analyze classical and contemporary resources. She explores identity and the role different identity groups play in creating multiple narratives of Islam, as well as issues of disempowerment and problematic framing of Muslims throughout history. Her areas of expertise include:

• Islamic Statehood - the state of Madina and evolution into Empires
• Islamic Exceptionalism - the Ummah - inclusion and exclusion
• Exegetical Analysis of the Quran
• Identity in America; Americanness; Patriotism
• Islamophobia - throughout history to today
• Oral History Methodology
• Political Science, Political Thought, American Politics, World Politics

Dr. Abou-Samra uses an interactive discussion and dialectical approach to teaching through the lens of agency and structure to help students find their own power and agency to shape their most immediate surroundings. She is the current co-chair of the Religious Studies panel at the annual Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters and served as the 2022 President of the organization.

Outside of her academic work, Dr. Abou-Samra is a Spoken Word artist with published collections including "Fractured: Between Truth and Lies" and "just: enough".