Middle Eastern and North African Studies

Dr. Courtney Dorroll

Associate Professor of Religion

Dr. Courtney Dorroll is a co-coordinator of the college’s Middle Eastern/Northern African Studies (MENA) program. She teaches courses on Middle Eastern studies as well as ethnography and self-care, and she dedicates her scholarly studies to the scholarship of teaching and learning, finding ways to make classrooms more inclusive and sustainable, and self-care as a form of leadership and a pedagogical approach. She received her B.A. from Purdue University, her M.A. from Indiana University and her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. During Interim, Dorroll teaches a course called “Stories of Spartanburg,” which she says leaves her prouder and more enamored with the city each and every time. She enjoys yoga, mindful meditation, walking and quality time with her toddler, Liv.

Dr. Philip C. Dorroll

Associate Professor of Religion

Philip Dorroll specializes in Islamic and Eastern Christian studies and theology. He is especially interested in the history of Muslim-Christian relations. His latest book, Islamic Theology in the Turkish Republic, was recently published by Edinburgh University Press. He says he appreciates the thoughts that students bring to class discussions surrounding those topics and that their contributions teach him something new every semester. Dorroll earned his B.A. degree from Purdue University, his M.A. degree from Indiana University and his Ph.D. from Emory University.

Dr. David S. Efurd

Associate Professor of Art History

B.F.A., Cornell University
M.A., University of Georgia
Ph.D., Ohio State University

Dr. Efurd teaches courses on Asian art and Islamic art. He holds a B.F.A. degree from Cornell University, an M.A. in art history from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in history of art from the Ohio State University. With South Asia as his field of specialty, Efurd studies early Buddhist monasteries carved directly into the stone cliffs of western India. His research encompasses the interaction of peoples in the ancient western Deccan and the resulting artistic and architectural forms hewn from the living rock. A recipient of the Fulbright-Hays Award, Efurd has lived in India and traveled to many of the archaeological sites he teaches in his classes. His training in the arts informs his understanding of both ancient and contemporary artistic techniques.

Dr. Jessica Tomkins

Assistant Professor of History

B.A., University College London
M.S., Oxford University
Ph.D., Brown University

Dr. Jessica Tomkins’ teaching interests include the ancient world, particularly ancient North Africa. Her research centers on the creation of centralized systems of government in the ancient world, particularly in societies where none previously existed.

Rachel Vanderhill

Associate Professor of International Affairs

Dr. Rachel Vanderhill teaches a range of international relations and comparative politics courses, including America and Global Economy; Comparing States and Societies; Foundations of World Politics; International Conflict; Revolutions and Regime Change; and Russia and its Neighbors. Her primary research interest is the politics and economics of authoritarian regimes, especially the role of the internet and social media. In addition, she has expertise on democratization, corruption/anti-corruption and European Union integration. Her regional specializations are post-communist states, the Middle East and North Africa. She earned her B.A. degree from Calvin College, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia. She says two of the best aspects of teaching at Wofford College are the wonderful students and her talented and dedicated colleagues. Away from Wofford, she enjoys traveling to new places, both in the United States and internationally.