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About Alan Lenzi

I specialize in the study of first millennium ancient Near Eastern religious traditions.

I challenge students to think critically and self-reflectively about religion and the Bible as products of human culture in order to understand themselves, their society, and human civilization broadly in a deeper manner. I bring a multi-disciplinary array of methodological tools to this task: linguistic, historical, sociological, and anthropological. Our deep intellectual engagement with religious texts and ideas often touches on sensitive personal issues, perhaps even creating conflict for a student's religious identity. (Education is nothing if it is not challenging.) I know firsthand about such matters. And I encourage students to visit me during office hours to think through such issues with me.

Positions

2012 - Present Associate Professor and Chair of Religious Studies, University of the Pacific ‐ College of the Pacific
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2006 - 2012 Assistant Professor, University of the Pacific ‐ College of the Pacific
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2003 - 2006 Visiting Lecturer, Washington University in St. Louis
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2004 - 2005 Adjunct and Visiting Lecturer, University of Missouri
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2003 Adjunct Professor, Webster University
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2001 Language Instructor, North Park Theological Seminary
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1998 - 1999 Teaching Assistant, Brandeis University
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Research Interests

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Honors and Awards

  • College of the Pacific, College Research Fund Grant, Summer 2015
  • University of the Pacific Eberhardt Summer Research Fellowship, Summer 2014
  • University of the Pacific United Methodist Teacher/ Scholar Award, Fall 2013
  • Thomas J. Long General Education Teaching Fellowship, Fall 2013
  • University of the Pacific Eberhardt Summer Research Fellowship, Summer 2012
  • Scholarly/Artistic Activity Grant, November 2011
  • Thomas J. Long General Education Teaching Fellowship, Fall 2010 University of the Pacific Eberhardt Summer Research Fellowship, Summer 2009
  • Scholarly/Artistic Activity Grant, November 2008
  • Scholarly/Artistic Activity Grant, December 2007
  • Scholarly/Artistic Activity Grant, December 2006
  • Nahum and Anne Glatzer Endowed Prize in Near Eastern an d Judaic Studies, 2006
  • Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar of the Year–Central States, 2005
  • Central States Society of Biblical Literature Stude nt Award, 2004
  • Karen McQuillan Fund of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University, April 2003
  • Graduate School Travel Grants, May 2002 and May 2003
  • Fellowship and Full Tuition Remission, Brandeis Univ ersity, 1997–2001
  • Faculty Grant for Graduate Study from the Edwin L. Jon es Fund, Westminster, 1997
  • Leslie W. Sloat Prize in Greek Exegesis, Westminster, 1997

Courses

  • RELI 023 Introduction to the Old Testament
  • RELI 034 Introduction to Religion
  • RELI 030 Comparative Religion
  • RELI 102 History of Ancient Egypt and the Near East
  • RELI 170 Bible in America
  • RELI 047 Unbelief: Atheism and Agnosticism
  • PACS 001 Pacific Seminar 1
  • PACS 002 Pacific Seminar 2: Myth-Conceptions Old and New
  • PACS 003 Pacific Seminar 3

Education

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2006 Ph.D., Ancient Near East and Hebrew Bible, Brandeis University
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2002 M.A., Ancient Near East and Hebrew Bible, Brandeis University
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2000 - 2001 Unofficial Auditor, University of Chicago ‐ Oriental Institute
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1997 M.A.R., summa cum laude, Biblical Studies, Westminster Theological Seminary
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1993 B.A., magna cum laude, Bible, Central Bible College
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Links

Contact Information

WPC 147
Phone: 209.946.2292

Email:

Digital Projects (2)

Books and Book Chapters (12)

Books and book chapters authored or edited by Dr. Alan Lenzi.

Articles (28)

Journal articles written by Dr. Alan Lenzi