Meet The Faculty: David Bertaina
Welcome to our series of news stories about our faculty. Throughout the year, you'll get to learn about their interests and any other interesting facts about themselves that they like to share.
Dr David Bertaina specializes in the religious history of the late antique and medieval Middle East. His research focuses on the interactions between Christians and Muslims during the medieval period. Additionally, he explores the historical evolution of Christmas. To uncover the mystery of Dr. Bertaina beyond the lecture hall, we asked him a few questions. Check out his interesting answers below:
How did you discover your love of history?
My love for history came out of an enduring interest in understanding why certain beliefs and practices are considered important for religious rituals and theology today. I wanted to understand why people perform certain actions, use certain objects, or choose certain words to explain what they see as essential. So my love for history is tied to appreciation for tradition, and how history is enacted through contemporary traditions, such as decorating a tree at Christmas.
What do you like most about teaching at UIS?
I enjoy interactions with students during class because I can see the mental growth in real time, and the realizations about ideas and their effect on how people think and act – in the past and how students do so in the present.
What research interests are you currently working towards?
I published a book on medieval religious relations in Egypt between Coptic Christians and Fatimid Muslims in late 2022. I am presently working on a book chapter about how Arabic-speaking Christians used commentaries on the Qur’an in their writings in the medieval period, and another book chapter about patterns of desacralization that occur when Muslims read the Bible and Christians read the Qur’an. They are both based on conferences where I spoke in Barcelona, Spain, and Tubingen, Germany and will be published in books in 2025 or soon after.
What advice can you give to students about History as a field of study?
For history majors, think about your professional career field. Do you want to be a teacher, or a public historian working at a museum, or an archivist working at any number of institutions that need documents preserved? Or do you want to prepare for law school, or a career in library science? Take courses that are going to complement your career path. Finally, be meticulous when it comes to specifics like quoting and citing sources – those who are successful at paying attention to details are those who are successful at life.
If you could have lunch with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
I would like to have lunch with the famous early 20th century proponent of distributism, social critic, prolific author, and food connoisseur G. K. Chesterton, because he enjoyed food and drink so well and his insights would have made for an entertaining meal.
Anything more you would like to share?
Other than teaching, I enjoy exercising and sporting activities.