Bio
Alexandra Garnhart-Bushakra holds a doctorate in medieval history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Previously, she earned her B.A. in history (honors) and Classical studies from Whitman College (in Washington state) and her M.A. in history also at UTK. Her research focuses on crusading, masculinity, horror and memorialization in poetry, and the Classical legacy in twelfth-century France and the Mediterranean. Specifically, her dissertation received the Marco Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies’ 2019-20 Jimmy and Dee Haslam Fellowship and the UT Department of History’s 2021 Award for Excellence in Gender Studies. While at UT-Knoxville, Alexandra completed a postdoctoral lectureship and taught pre-modern courses, where she earned the Susan Becker Award and Graduate Student Senate’s recognition for excellence in teaching. Alongside her administrative role for the CMU Department of History, Alexandra offers classes on medieval topics. In such courses, students learn about the professional secrecy of alchemists, moral debates surrounding monsters and the supernatural, and the realities behind knighthood. On occasion, students may also be invited to illuminate their own historical manuscripts, too!
Primarily, Alexandra serves as the Academic Program Manager for the Department of History, where she oversees our undergraduate course development, enrollment, and outreach beyond Dietrich College. She coordinates with the Director of Undergraduate Studies regarding registration, scheduling, accreditation, and curriculum (via the catalog). In partnership with the DUS and Department Head, she offers strategic guidance on improving our department’s programming and implements those recommendations. Alexandra also reviews all study abroad and transfer credit requests on behalf of the department. Furthermore, her responsibilities include promoting undergraduate history degrees, major-specific internships, and research at CMU. She encourages any students interested in history and anthropology to contact her.
Education
Ph.D.: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2021
Courses Taught
- Introduction to the Medieval Mediterranean World
- Medieval Science, Magic, and Wonders of Nature
- Introduction to Religion
- Age of Crusading, 1000-2000
- Research Training Course: The Art and Science of Making Medieval Manuscripts
- Summer Undergraduate Research Assistantship: Medieval Manuscripts
- Independent Study: The Medieval Scriptorium
Department Member Since: 2023