Indiana University Northwest

Professor Jerry B. Pierce
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Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION:

Ph.D.History, University of Arizona, August 2004

Fields: Medieval Europe, Ancient World (Rome/Greece), Renaissance/Early-Modern Europe, comparative history of Mediterranean borderlands and Modern Europe.

Dissertation: “Apocalyptic Poverty: Gerard Segarelli, Fra Dolcino and the Legitimization of Deviance Among the Order of Apostles, 1260-1307.” Committee: Alan E. Bernstein (Chair), Alison Futrell, Steven Johnstone

M.A.History, University of Oregon, 1996

Thesis: “Into the Devil’s Kingdom: The Diabology of Martin Luther to 1520.” Committee: Augustine C. Thompson, Jennifer Rondeau, Jack Maddex

B.A.History and Religious Studies, University of Oregon, 1994

Magna cum Laude

AREAS OF TEACHING SPECIALIZATION:

  • Introductory: Western Civilization I & II.
  • Advanced: Ancient Greek and Roman History, Medieval Europe, Ancient/Medieval Women and Gender Studies, Medieval Heresy, Film and History.

AREAS OF RESEARCH SPECIALIZATION:

  • Medieval Europe
  • Medieval Religion/Heresy
  • Women and Gender (Ancient/Medieval Europe)
  • Film and History

ACADEMIC POSITIONS:

  • Assistant Professor, Department of History, Indiana University Northwest, 2004-present.

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Apocalyptic Poverty: The Order of Apostles and Social Change in Northern Italy, 1260-1307, book manuscript under contract, Continuum Press, 2011.
  • “Pleasure or Piety: The Franciscans, the Order of Apostles, and Spiritual Identity, 1260-1300” in Textual Pleasure in the Middle Ages: A Casebook, eds. Scott D. Troyan and Robin Hass Birky, Routledge, (Fall 2010).
  • “Great Ambiguity: Traditional Masculinity (or the lack thereof) in Oliver Stone’s Alexander”, Journal of the Indiana Academy of Social Sciences, Vol. XII, 2008, 46-65.
  • Book Review: Regular Life: Monastic, Canonical and Mendicant Rules, 2 nd ed. Edited by Daniel Marcel La Corte and Douglas J. McMillan. Medieval Institute Publications, 2004. Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching Spring 2006, vol. 13, n. 1.

PAPERS PRESENTED :

  • “In the Valley of Heresy: Autonomy, Dissent and Crusade in Fourteenth Century Valsesia,” 44th Annual International Congress on Medieval Studies, May 7-10, 2009.
  • “To Do or Die Manfully: Representing Classical Masculinity in Recent Epic Films,” College of Arts and Sciences 5th Annual Research Conference, Indiana University Northwest, November 12, 2008.
  •  “Great Ambiguity: Traditional Masculinity (or the lack thereof) in Oliver Stone’s Alexander”, Indiana Academy of Social Sciences, October 17, 2008.
  • “The Roman Revolution: Rethinking Modern Theories of Political Change” College of Arts and Sciences 4th Annual Research Conference , November 16, 2007
  • “Pleasure or Piety: The Medieval Church, the ‘Heretical’ Order of the Apostles, and Spirituality Identity, 1260-1307,” Medieval Association of the Midwest, October 19, 2007
  • “Trailing Fra Dolcino: Remembering the Heretical Past in Modern Piedmont,” 41 st Annual International Congress on Medieval Studies, May 4-7, 2006
  • “Heretical Monuments: The Contested Memory of a Medieval Heresy,” College of Arts and Sciences 2 nd Annual Research Conference, November 18, 2005
  • “Heretical Memories: Monuments and the Memorialization of Medieval Heretics,” Medieval Association of the Midwest, September 23, 2005
  • “Forced into an Apocalyptic Corner: Violence, Resistance and the Order of the Apostles,” 40 th Annual International Congress on Medieval Studies, May 5-8, 2005
  • “‘The Blood-Dimmed Tide is Loosed’”: A Medieval Case Study of Persecution, Apocalypticism and Violence,” College of Arts and Sciences First Annual Research Conference, November 12, 2004

CONFERENCE PANEL CHAIR:

  • “Heresy in the Middle Ages,” 3 rd Annual College of Arts and Sciences Research Conference, November 10, 2006.
  • “Inquisition: Power and Process,” 41 st Annual International Congress on Medieval Studies, May 2006.
  • “Looking, Loss and Logic in Literature,” 2nd Annual College of Arts and Sciences Research Conference, November 17, 2005.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Indiana University Northwest, Fall 2004-Present:

  • HIST 495: Senior Seminar: Women and Gender in the Ancient World
  • HIST 495: Senior Seminar: Medieval Heresy
  • HIST 388: Roman History (Republic and Empire)
  • HIST 386: Greek History from Mycenae through Alexander the Great
  • HIST 351: Early Medieval Europe (“Pagan” Europe and Tolkien)
  • HIST 352: High/Late Medieval Europe
  • HIST 225: Ancient and Medieval History in Film
  • HIST 215: The Historian’s Craft: Rome and its Historians
  • HIST 200: Hell and Death in Antiquity and Beyond (Team-taught with Prof. DiMuzio of IUN’s Philosophy Department)
  • HIST 113: Western Civilization I (Pre-History to the Renaissance)
  • HIST 114: Western Civilization II (Renaissance to the present)

Instructor:

Department of History, University of Arizona

  • HIST 407A: Medieval Heresy, Summer 2004.
  • HIST 205: History of Rome, Spring 2004; 2003
  • HIST 205: History of Rome, Summer 2001-2003
  • HIST 271: History of Christianity, Summer I, 2000
  • HIST 465B: History of Roman & Medieval Spain, Spring 2000
  • TRAD 102: Traditions and Cultures: From the Rise of Cities to the Sixteenth Century, Summer I, 1999

Department of Religious Studies, University of Oregon

  • REL 399: Religion in Nazi Germany, Summer 1998; Summer 1996

 Teaching Assistant, Department of History, University of Arizona, 1997-2002

 Teaching Assistant, Department of Religious Studies, University of Oregon, 1994-1996


AWARDS AND HONORS:

  • Inductee, Faculty Colloquium for Excellence in Teaching, Indiana University, 2009
  • Trustees’ Award for Excellence in Teaching, Indiana University Northwest, Spring 2009
  • Finalist, Founder’s Day Teaching Award, Indiana University Northwest, Spring 2009
  • Finalist, Founder’s Day Teaching Award, Indiana University Northwest, Spring 2008
  • Trustees’ Award for Excellence in Teaching, Indiana University Northwest, Spring 2007
  • Finalist, Founder’s Day Teaching Award, Indiana University Northwest, Spring 2007
  • Exploration Traveling Fellowship Grant, New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities, Indiana University, Bloomington, Summer 2007
  • International Project and Activities Grant, Office of International Programs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Summer 2007
  • Center for Cultural Discovery and Learning Fellowship (with Prof. Robin Hass Birky), Indiana University Northwest, The Roundtable: Annual Medieval Academic Spring Symposium, Spring 2006
  • Nominated for Founder’s Day Teaching Award, Indiana University Northwest, January 2005
  • Rockfellow Scholarship, Department of History, University of Arizona, Spring 2003
  • Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award, Department of History, Summer 2001
  • Teaching Team Award, University of Arizona, Fall 1998
  • Phi Beta Kappa, 1994
  • Golden Key Honor Society, 1993

COMMUNITY/INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE :

  • Chairperson, Writing Across the Curriculum Committee, Indiana University Northwest, 2006-present
  • Faculty Liaison (NW Indiana Seven-County Region), Advance College Project, January 2005-present
  • Faculty Advisor/Coordinator, History Club, Indiana University Northwest, 2004-present
  • Center for Cultural Discovery and Learning Fellowship (with Prof. Robin Hass Birky), Indiana University Northwest, The Roundtable: Annual Medieval Academic Spring Symposium, Spring 2006
  • Webmaster, Department of History, Indiana University Northwest, Fall 2004-present
  • “Beware the Ides of March: The Assassination of Julius Caesar and the Fall of the Roman Republic,” Academic College Experience Day, Indiana University Northwest, April 23, 2007
  • “ Hell on $6.66 a Day: A Historical and Philosophical Guide to the Afterlife,” presented with Prof. Gianluca DiMuzio (Philosophy Department), Academic College Experience Day, April 23, 2007
  • “War and Imperialism and Propaganda in the Ancient World,” 30 th Annual Seminar Day, Indiana University Northwest, April 7, 2006
  • “‘God Wills It!’ The Crusades: Myth, Reality and their Effect Today,” 29 th Annual Seminar Day, Indiana University Northwest, March 4, 2005
  • “The Benefits of Attending Indiana University Northwest,” Information/promotional presentation, AP US History, Merrillville (IN) High School, January 14, 2005
  • Assistant/Monitor, Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Institute Computer Lab, University of Arizona, Fall 2003-Spring 2004
  • “A Guide to Internet Research: Using the Web to find Primary Sources for the Age of Exploration,” for HIST 396A: Nature and Practice of History, September 3, 2003
  • “Interactive and Collective Learning Exercises in Small-Group Discussions,” Graduate Teaching Assistant Training Workshop, Department of History, University of Arizona, August 21, 2003
  • “The Devil and Evil in Christianity,” Presented to the University of Arizona SAGE (Seniors' Achievement and Growth through Education) Society, February 14, 2003.
  • “Heresy in the Archives: Research and Methodology of a Medieval Historian,” Presented to the History Graduate Association, University of Arizona, October 25, 2002
  • “Using Technology Effectively in the Classroom: A Guide for Teaching Assistants,” Graduate Teaching Assistant Training Workshop, Department of History, University of Arizona, August 21, 2002
  • Writing Workshop: “Thesis Statements and Primary Sources,” HIST 205: History of Rome, February 12, 2002
  • Undergraduate Writing Workshop, Department of History, University of Arizona, October 16, 2001
  • “Technology in the Classroom: Creating and Maintaining Course Websites,” Graduate Teaching Assistant Workshop, Department of History, University of Arizona, August 23, 2001
  • Writing Workshop: “Writing an Effective History Essay,” HIST 205: History of Rome, February 15, 2001
  • Visions of the End: Hell and Heaven in Medieval and Reformation Europe . Sponsored by The Division of Late Medieval and Reformation Studies, Summer Lecture Series University of Arizona, presented to St. Philip’s Church, Summer 1997

LANGUAGES:

  • Latin (Reading)
  • Italian (Speaking, reading)
  • German (Speaking, reading)
  • French (Reading)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

  • American Historical Association
  • Medieval Academy of America
  • Medieval Association of the Midwest
  • Rocky Mountain Medieval and Renaissance Association
  • Arizona Center for Medieval and Reformation Studies
  • American Academy of Religion