Susanna Drake

Susanna Drake serves as Professor of Religious Studies at Macalester College, teaching courses in early Christianity, biblical studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from her office in Old Main, Room 105. Her departmental affiliation is exclusively with Religious Studies within the college's academic structure.

Her educational foundation includes:

• B.A. from Grinnell College (2000)
• Masters of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School (2003)
• Ph.D. from Duke University (2008)

Drake's research critically examines power dynamics in ancient religious contexts, particularly focusing on how early Christian writers constructed Jewish identities through sexualized rhetoric. She investigates intersections of gender, sexuality, and religious difference in late antiquity, analyzing both textual and artistic biblical interpretations. Current projects explore veiling practices as social markers in ancient Mediterranean societies, revealing how bodily coverings negotiated religious boundaries and gender norms.

Her scholarly output centers on a single major publication to date, demonstrating rigorous analysis of early Christian texts through gender-theoretical frameworks. This work establishes consistent thematic focus on identity construction, intergroup relations, and the politicization of sexuality in formative religious periods, with implications for modern interfaith discourse.