June 13, 2023
MILWAUKEE 鈥� Dr. Enaya Othman, associate professor of languages, literatures and cultures in 蜜桃影像鈥檚 Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, has received a Fulbright Scholar Award to research women鈥檚 use of traditional dress 鈥� thob 鈥� in the Middle East.
Othman will conduct archival and onsite research in Palestinian Territories and Jordan to explore the forces working on women鈥檚 dress choices, including the dualities of regional cultures along with nationalization projects, cultural authenticity within a frame of modernity/hybridity, and local technologies employed in globalized economy.
鈥淚n the Middle East, women鈥檚 traditional cultural dress is often studied only as museum material, or as an indicator of tribal identity,鈥� Othman said. 鈥淩ecently, however, women鈥檚 renewed interest in, and rethinking of, traditional dress indicates an assertion of agency and empowerment. Whether as entrepreneurs, designers or producers, women are starting to reinterpret the role of dress and reclaiming authority over dominant, stereotypical discourses about women.鈥�
Through this project, Othman will develop an analysis of clothing conventions by locating them within historical, cultural and political circumstances in each country alongside individuals鈥� constructions of the notions of identity and belonging and gaining control over nationalist discourses. She will then draw a comparison among the conventions in these two countries that, to a great extent, share cultural resources and heritage, yet are simultaneously demarcated by social boundaries and historical particularities.
Fulbright is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world, supported for more than half a century by the American people through an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress and by the people of partner nations. The Fulbright Scholar Program is designed to expand and strengthen the relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of the rest of the world. The Fulbright Global Scholar Award allows U.S. academics and professionals to engage in multi-country, trans-regional projects.
About 蜜桃影像
蜜桃影像 is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
