Dr. James Matenaer

Dr. James Matenaer

Professor of History

[email protected]

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Ph.D. Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2012 Dissertation Title: “Postillators of Poverty and the Vita Apostolica: Matthean Exegesis on Apostolic Poverty in the Age of Pope John XXII”

M.A. Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005 Master’s Thesis: “Nicholas of Lyra’s Place in Franciscan Exegesis”

B.A. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003 History, major; Religious Studies, certificate

 

Major Fields of Specialization: Medieval European Social, Religious, and Intellectual History, emphasis on the history of the Franciscan order.

Minor Fields of Specialization: Latin – Classics, including ancient Roman, medieval, and Renaissance literature.

Preliminary Examination Fields: Early Middle Ages, Central Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages, Italian Renaissance; completed 2007

Associate Professor of History. Franciscan University of Steubenville, 2019-present.

Courses Taught:

  • HST 105: History of Civilization, I (on campus & online)
  • HST 106: History of Civilization, II
  • HST 290: Historical Methods
  • HST 300: Franciscans in History
  • HST 301: St. Francis: Life and Charism
  • HST 307: Franciscans in the New World
  • HST 316: Selected Topics in Franciscan History: Franciscan Poverty and Biblical Exegesis
  • HST 324: Renaissance and Reformation
  • HST 342: The Crusades

Assistant Professor of History. Franciscan University of Steubenville, 2013-2019.

Associate Lecturer. Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, fall 2011 Hist 102: World History Since 1500

Lecturer. Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison, spring 2011 Hist 223: Explorations in European History: Medieval Education

George L. Mosse Teaching Fellowship in European History, University of Wisconsin- Madison, spring 2011.

Vatican Film Library Mellon Fellowship, Knights of Columbus Vatican Film Library, St. Louis University, Jan. 7-18, 2008.

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Publications

“Franciscan Poverty as Virtual Perfection: The Description of the Apostolic Life in Peter of John Olivi’s Matthew Commentary.” Cithara 62, no. 1 (November 2022): 18-32. (peer reviewed)

“Interpreting Joseph: Mary’s Vow and Its Implications in Thirteenth- and Fourteenth-Century Matthew Commentaries.” In Studies in Later Medieval Intellectual History in Honor of William J. Courtenay, ed. William O. Duba, et al. Recherches de Théologie et Philosophie Médiévales – Bibliotheca 14, 65-87. Leuven, 2017. (peer reviewed)

“Lyra in Light of Condemnation.” Franciscan Studies 65 (2007): 349-370. (peer reviewed)

Professional Presentations

“Thomas Aquinas in the Apostolic Poverty Debates of the Fourteenth Century.” 54th International Congress on Medieval Studies. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 9, 2019.

“Leadership in the Franciscan Missionary Tradition: From Giles of Assisi to Junípero Serra.” Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities Symposium 2016. Marian University, Indianapolis, IN. June 9, 2016.

“A Franciscan Missionary Tradition in Theory and Practice.” St. Junípero Serra: A Franciscan University Faculty Research Workshop. Franciscan University of Steubenille, Steubenville, OH. April 2, 2016.

“‘Making the Laborer Worthy of His Keep’: Benedict XII’s Religious Reforms according to His Postilla super Mattheum.” 50th International Congress on Medieval Studies. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 14, 2015.

“Franciscan Poverty as Virtual Perfection: Peter Olivi’s Description of the Vita Apostolica in his Lectura super Matthaeum.” Midwest Medieval History Conference, 2014. Dominican University, River Forest, IL. Oct. 18, 2014.

“Teaching Franciscan History in a Franciscan University: A New Faculty Member’s Experience Introducing Students to Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan Order in Three Separate History Courses,” Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities Symposium 2014, Neumann University, Aston, PA, June 4, 2014.

“Interpreting Joseph,” Mid-America Medieval Association Annual Conference XXXIV, Conception, MO, Feb. 27, 2010.

“Lyra in Light of Condemnation,” Medieval Intellectual History Colloquium, The Newberry Library, Chicago, IL, Dec. 1, 2007.

Department Faculty