Martha G. Newman

Interests

Biography

Martha Newman is Associate Professor of History and Religious Studies and serves as the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies.  Dr. Newman received her Ph.D. in Medieval History from Stanford University and her B.A. in History from Harvard University.  Her research focuses primarily on medieval Christian monasticism, especially monastic miracle collections and monastic attitudes toward women and the poor.  She is the author of The Boundaries of Charity: Cistercian Culture and Ecclesiastical Reform, 1098-1180, as well as a number book chapters and articles dealing with Medieval Christianity.  Her current book-project, entitled Miracle and Doubt in Late Twelfth-Century Monasticism, looks at expressions of religious uncertainty in medieval monastic life.

Aside from her current position as Chair of the Religious Studies Department, Dr. Newman has also served in numerous service positions during her tenure at UT-Austin, including Associate Chair of the History Department, Associate Director of the Plan II Honors Program, and Director of the History Honors Program.  She has given a number of invited talks on Medieval Studies and medieval Christian monasticism, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for her teaching, including the Eyes of Texas Excellence Award.  Her classes include the introductory course “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” and “The Twelfth-Century Renaissance.”