Familiar Face

Christopher Michael Roman

Professor
English
Tuscarawas Campus

JOB DESCRIPTION:

I am Professor of English, specializing in medieval literature, queer theory, sound studies, and J.R.R. Tolkien. I teach undergraduate and graduate courses on the intersection of medieval studies and gender studies, as well as courses on Chaucer, Tolkien, Shakespeare, and the history of the English language. My research work examines the way sexuality was represented in the Middle Ages, specifically queer identities. My new book Queering Richard Rolle (2017), investigates the queer identity of the medieval hermit, Richard Rolle. I am currently working on the use of sound in the medieval Biblical exegesis of the High Middle Ages and in the work of Chaucer. I am the recipient of a Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library Visiting Research Fellowship and an Erika and Kenneth Riley Fellowship at the Huntington Library in California for work on a new edition of Richard Rolle’s Middle English works to be published by the Medieval English Text Series. I am the associate editor of The Chaucer Review. I am also the series co-editor of New Queer Medievalisms (Medieval Institute Publications).

WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:

August 2004

EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO KENT STATE UNIVERSITY:

University of Alabama.

likes most about kent state university:

I love the students, especially the diversity of the student body and their talent, inquisitiveness, and ambition.

ATTRACTION TO KENT STATE UNIVERSITY AS AN EMPLOYER:

I was attracted to Kent State University because of its strong union, research and teaching focus, and its commitment to students at all levels.

rESIDES IN:

New Philadelphia, OH

Hometown:

Pittsburgh, PA

EDUCATION:

PhD, English Literature, Medieval Studies, University of Alabama 
MA English Literature, Kent State University
B.A. English, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

HOBBIES:

Reading, weight lifting, vinyl (record) collecting, comic book collecting, pen and ink drawing, oil painting, hiking, camping, travel.