Walter Eugene Roberts

12

Walter Eugene Roberts

Curriculum Vitae

4229 Hunt Drive, Apartment 4908 Department of History

Carrollton, TX 75010 University of North Texas

Cell: 740-856-9461 1155 Union Circle #310650

Denton, TX 76203

Office Phone: 940-565-2489

E-Mail:

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Emory University

History, May 2003

Dissertation: A Study of Concordia: Changing Conceptions of Imperial

Power and Responsibility in Late Antiquity

Committee: Thomas Burns (Chair), Stephen White, David Bright

Examination Fields: Late Antiquity, Medieval Europe, Ancient Greece,

Ancient Rome

Freie Universität Berlins (Visiting Scholar, 1999-2000)

M.A. University of South Carolina

History, August 1997

Thesis: Magnus Maximus: Portrait of a Usurper

Committee Members: Ralph W. Mathisen (Chair), Robert Patterson

B.A. Coastal Carolina University

History, December 1994 (Cum Laude)

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

University of North Texas August 2012-Present

Department of History Continuing Senior Lecturer

University of North Texas August 2010-July 2012

Department of History Continuing Lecturer

Ohio University September 2008-June 2010

Department of History Visiting Assistant Professor

Ashland University August 2007-August 2008

Department of History and Political Science Visiting Assistant Professor

University of Arizona August 2004-July 2007

Department of History Adjunct Professor

North Georgia College and State University August 2003-July 2004

Department of History Adjunct Professor

Emory University Summer 2003

Italian Studies Summer Abroad Program Visiting Assistant Professor

COURSES TAUGHT

GENERAL EDUCATION/CORE CURRICULUM HISTORY SURVEY COURSES

Western Civilization to 1648: A lower-level survey of the development of Europe and the Mediterranean world from the Bronze Age (ca. 3000 BCE) to the religious wars in Europe following the Protestant Reformation (ca. 1650 CE). An emphasis is put on the evolution of classical, medieval, and contemporary conceptions of “western civilization” through examining primary source material, and the development of pre-modern Europe is examined as part of a wider Mediterranean context.

Survey of World History to 1500: A lower-division course that surveys the religious, political, and social history of selected cultures from around the world to 1500 CE. Emphasis is placed on close analysis of primary sources.

Survey of World History from 1500 to Present: A lower-division course that surveys the religious, political, and social history of selected cultures from around the world from 1500 CE to the present. Emphasis is placed on close analysis of primary sources.

UPPER-DIVISION HISTORY COURSES

Early Medieval Europe: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the history of the Medieval European world from 300-1000 CE.

Jews Under Greek and Roman Rule: This course is a survey of the development of Judaism and Jewish cultural identity from the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian Exile to the creation of normative Rabinnic Judaism in the Late Antique period (ca. 600 BCE-ca. 500 CE). Thematically, this course examines the interplay between Jewish monotheism and assimilation with the neighboring polytheistic cultures and how this interrelationship informed Jewish notions of leadership and community. In addition, students are introduced to the notions and problems of state formation in the tradition of "Western" thought. This course is heavily based on reading primary sources and some of the more influential secondary scholarship on Judaism and Jewish cultural identity during the Second Temple and Late Antique periods. It also explores the use of archaeology and other non-literary sources in an attempt to address the basic issues of the course. Sponsored by the Israel and Jewish Studies Program, University of North Texas.

Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the religious, political, and social history of the ancient Near East from the beginning of the Bronze Age to ca. 500 BCE.

Ancient Israel: This course is a survey of the history of the Hebrew people’s attempts at early state formation from their earliest known origins to the destruction of the First Temple and Judah (ca. 3000 BCE-ca. 600 BCE). Particular attention is paid to the creation of the earliest incarnations of the state of Israel in the context of its geography as a border territory. Thematically, this course examines the interplay between Jewish monotheism and assimilation with the neighboring polytheistic cultures and how this interrelationship informed Jewish notions of leadership and community. In addition, students are introduced to the notions and problems of state formation in the tradition of "Western" thought. This course is heavily based on reading primary sources and some of the more influential secondary scholarship on the subject. It also explores the use of archaeology and other non-literary sources. Sponsored by the Irael and Jewish Studies Program, University of North Texas.

The Ancient Mediterranean—Power and Identity: This course surveys the religious, political, and social history of the Mediterranean world from ca. 1200 BCE to the death of Constantine in 337 CE. Emphasis is placed on close analysis of primary sources and the themes of power and identity as seen in conceptions of leadership and community.

Ancient Greece: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the religious, political, and social history of Ancient Greece from ca. 1200 BCE to the death of Alexander the Great (323 BCE). Cross-listed as a Classics course.

Ancient Rome: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the religious, political, and social history of Bronze Age Rome, Regal Rome, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire from ca. 1200 BCE to the death of the emperor Constantine I (337 CE). Cross-listed as a Classics course.

Byzantine History: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the religious, political, and social history of the Byzantine Empire from the reign of Constantine I (337 CE) to the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453 CE.

Classical Egypt: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the religious, political, and social history of ancient Egypt from ca. 3000 BCE to ca. 700 BCE.

The Evolution of Warfare to Napoleon: This course examines the evolution of warfare from its Bronze Age origins to ca. 1800 CE. The emphasis is on warfare as a “western” phenomenon, but warfare is examined in a global/world historical context. Attention is paid to both the theory and practice of warfare before the “modern” era.

Historical Methods: This course introduces history majors to the main philosophical, methodological, and technical issues that confront professional historians. Emphasis is on developing research, writing, argumentation, and analysis of primary and secondary sources.

The History and Archaeology of Italy from 1000 BC to AD 600: This course is taught on-site in Italy and examines the religious, political, and social history of ancient Italy to 600 CE. Emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary approach using archaeological, numismatic, and epigraphic evidence to supplement a close study of the primary sources.

History of the High Middle Ages: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes in the history of the Medieval European world from Late Antiquity to the eve of the Reformation. Can be cross-listed as a Religion course.

Nature and Practice of History-Of Gods and Emperors: Religious Dissent as Political Dissent from the Late Roman Republic to Justinian: A senior seminar that introduces students to concepts and issues driving the modern study of the Greco-Roman world from ca. 44 BCE to the death of Justinian (565 CE). Emphasis is on critical analysis of primary sources, modern historiography, and research skills.

Nature and Practice of History-Introduction to Late Antiquity: A senior seminar that introduces students to concepts and issues driving the modern study of the Late Antique era (ca. 300-ca. 1000 CE) in the Mediterranean world. Emphasis is on critical analysis of primary sources, modern historiography, and refinement of research skills.

Roman Warfare: This course examines both the ideology and practice of warfare during the time of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. An emphasis is placed on primary sources and the role that warfare played in Roman conceptions of empire and cultural identity.

GRADUATE HISTORY COURSES

Historical Bibliography: This course introduces Master’s level graduate students in history to the various methods used to find source materials. An emphasis is put on using the most recent technologies as an aid in their research. Some time is also spent going over the basics of source citation in written work.

Historiography: This course introduces Ph. D. history students to the main philosophical, methodological, and technical issues that confront professional historians. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of the current methodological and philosophical issues that underpin the work of modern historians.

Readings in Jews Under Greek and Roman Rule: This course introduces students to the basic issues and historiography concerning the development of Judaism and Jewish cultural identity from ca. 600 BCE-ca. 500 CE. Particular attention is paid to the historiographical arguments over sources for these topic and how to interpret them.

Readings in Ancient Israel: This course introduces students to the basic issues and historiography of ancient Israel from ca. 3000 BCE-ca. 135 CE. Particular attention is paid to the historiographical arguments over sources for ancient Israel and how to interpret them.

Readings in Barbarians in Late Antiquity: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and historiography of interactions between the Late Roman and Early Byzantine Empires from ca. 300-ca. 1000 CE.

Readings in Byzantine History: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and historiography of the religious, political, and social history of the Byzantine Empire from the reign of Constantine I (337 CE) to the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453 CE.

Readings in Classical Egyptian History: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and historiography of the religious, political, and social history of ancient Egypt from ca. 3000 BCE to ca. 500 BCE.

Readings in the Evolution of Warfare to Napoleon: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and historiography on the evolution of warfare from its Bronze Age origins to ca. 1800 CE. The emphasis is on warfare as a “western” phenomenon, but warfare is examined in a global/world historical context. Attention is paid to both the theory and practice of warfare before the “modern” era.

Readings in Roman Warfare: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and historiography of ancient Roman warfare from ca. 500 BCE-ca. 500 CE. Attention is paid to the wider cultural impact of Roman warfare of the formation and maintenance of the Roman Empire as well as the actual practices of warfare during this period.

Teaching College History: This course introduces Master’s and Ph. D. history students to the basic issues of teaching a college-level history survey or general education course. Topics covered include constructing a syllabus, constructing exams, and institutional technological support for teaching. The students have to observe seasoned instructors in a classroom setting and then give their own teaching demonstration.

Readings in Ancient Greek History: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and historiography of the ancient Greek world from ca. 2000 BCE-31 BCE. Attention is paid to the wider cultural impact of ancient Greek culture as it was passed on into the Hellenistic era and picked up by the Roman Empire.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

Proficient in the following course management software: Blackboard; Desire2Learn; Angel

Offered my Roman Warfare course in a distance-learning format (Tandberg Conferencing System) to the main Ohio University campus and four Ohio University branch campuses. Spring 2010.

PUBLICATIONS

“’Soldiers of Christ’ from the Byzantine Perspective: Monks, Emperors, and Conflict in the Early Byzantine Empire.” Journal of Religious History (on-line, October 2016).

World Civilizations to 1500 CE: Empires and Religions. Kendall-Hunt, 2013.

“Reconceptualizing Notions of Imperial Power in the Later Roman Empire: The Case of Basil of Caesarea and Valens.” The Ancient World 39 no.2 (December 2008): 162-173.

“Greco-Roman Conceptions of the Natural World, Religion, and Notions of Leadership in the Later Roman Empire.” In Science Religion, and Society: History, Culture, and Controversy, Gary Laderman and Arri Eisen, eds., (M.E. Sharpe, 2007): 244-250.

“Milites Christi Revisited: A Reexamination of Christian Leadership in the Late Antique West.” In The Proceedings of the Third International Historical Conference on European History: European History: Lessons for the 21st Century, eds. Gregory T. Papanikos and Nicholas C.J. Pappas (Athens Institute for Education and Research, 2006): 145-158.

“Julian.” (with Mike Dimaio) De Imperatoribus Romanis website, 2002. The DIR is a peer-reviewed and edited website that provides brief biographies of all Roman and Byzantine emperors from Augustus (27 BCE) to Constantine XI (1453 CE). URL: http://www.roman-emperors.org/ (38 manuscript pages)

“Valentinian I.” DIR, 1998. (31 manuscript pages)

“Firmus.” DIR, 1998. ( 5 manuscript pages)

“Valentinian II.” DIR, 1998. (8 manuscript pages)

“Gratian.” DIR, 1998. (18 manuscript pages)

“Eugenius.” DIR, 1998. (5 manuscript pages)

“Flavius Victor.” DIR, 1997. (5 manuscript pages)

“Magnus Maximus.” DIR, 1997. (20 manuscript pages)

“Barbarians as a Destabilizing Factor in the Late Roman Empire: The Case of Magnus Maximus.” The Proceedings of the South Carolina Historical Association (1998): 1-7.

BOOK REVIEWS

Robert Garland. Wandering Greeks: The Ancient Greek Diaspora from the Age of Homer to the Death of Alexander the Great. Princeton University Press, 2014. In History: Review of New Books 44, no. 3 (May 2016): 76-77.

Peter Crawford. The War of the Three Gods: Romans, Persians, and the Rise of Islam. Pen and Sword Military Press, 2014. In Res Militares: Official Newsletter of the Society of Ancient Military Historians (August, 2015): 15.1.

Virginia Burrus. Saving Shame: Martyrs, Saints, and Other Abject Subjects. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008. In Bryn Mawr Classical Review (March, 2008): 2008.03.27.

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

“Soldiers of Christ from the Byzantine Perspective: Monks, Emperors, and Conflict in the Late Antique Byzantine Empire.” 23rd Finnish Symposium on Late Antiquity: Conflict in Late Antiquity, Tvärmine, Finland. October 2014.

“Changing Notions of Empire and Warfare: Herodotus, Thucydides, the Romans, and Clausewitz.” 1st Annual Central Texas Military History Symposium, Texas A&M University-Central, Killeen, TX.

August 2011.

“Imperial Patronage and Religion in the 4th Century Roman Empire.” 43rd International Medieval

Studies Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 2008.

“Christian Notions of Power in the 4th and 5th Centuries: The Growth of Christian Patronage in the Early Medieval Period,” 33rd Annual Sewanee Medieval Colloquium, Sewanee, TN. April 2006.