Rate My Professor James Williams

Dr. James B. Williams is an Associate Professor of History in the Department of History and Political Science at the University of Indianapolis, where he concurrently serves as Dean of the Ron & Laura Strain Honors College. He holds a PhD from Purdue University (2009), for which his dissertation, "The Adoptive Son of God, the Pregnant Virgin, and the Fortification of the True Faith: Heterodoxy, the Cult of the Virgin Mary, and Benedict of Aniane in the Carolingian Age," earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award from Purdue's College of Liberal Arts. Williams also possesses an MStud from Oxford University and a BA from the College of William and Mary. His specialties include medieval Europe and Latin America, with areas of expertise spanning ancient Roman history, medieval history, early modern history, and Latin American history. Research interests focus on early medieval history, pre-modern religious history, and Carolingian culture. Throughout his career, he has presented at numerous international conferences, contributed encyclopedia entries, and reviewed textbooks. As a leader in honors education, Williams has driven significant growth in the Honors College, including a 450% increase in honors graduates over eight years.