The Center for the Humanities is pleased to announce that Jen Shook will be our faculty fellow for 2024–25. Shook is an assistant professor of theatre, dance, and performance studies, and affiliated as well with digital studies and American studies. She received her bachelor's degree in English, religion, and women’s studies from Swarthmore College; a master’s in interdisciplinary humanities from the University of Chicago; and a doctorate in literary and cultural studies from the University of Iowa. Shook’s professional and academic practices flourish at the intersections of performance, literature, cultural memory, Indigenous studies, community engagement, and digital liberal arts. Her in-process book manuscript, Unghosting Tribalographies: Performing Oklahoma-as-Indian-Territory, examines transcultural collaborations and Native American performers’ reworkings of historical commemorations in the microcosm of her home state.
During her tenure as faculty fellow, Shook will continue work on her book manuscript, launch phase one of an online collaboration with a collective known as Instead of Redface that seeks to increase the competence and comfort level of professors teaching Native plays.
Spring 2025 Course
As the fellow, Shook will teach a short course in the spring titled Digital Native American Indigenous Studies.
Public Talk
Shook will share her work with the Grinnell community in April of 2025. Details will be forthcoming.