Lilian Calles Barger

Lilian Calles Barger

The American Association of University Women has awarded Lilian Calles Barger, a doctoral candidate in the School of Arts and Humanities, the American Dissertation Fellowship for 2013-2014.

“I am thrilled to have value ascribed to my project so early in the process. With the support of my committee, the fellowship allows me the opportunity to apply sustained focus in sharpening my arguments and renews the hope of family and friends that I will finish,” Barger said.

Barger’s dissertation, “Human Liberation from Below: Transnational Origins of Liberation Theology, 1775-1975,” provides a cultural history of ideas at the intersection of religion and politics in the American hemisphere.

“My subjects are 1960s theologians who, drawing from a long history of modern thought, contributed to change in the perceived relationship between religion and politics,” said Barger. “Their theologies emerged from their attempt to reconcile Black Power, women’s liberation, and Latin American revolutions, in which they were involved, with their theistic world view. I hope my work contributes to bringing positive attention to the work of intellectual historians.”

“Her work represents the best the humanities, and intellectual history in particular, have to offer. I am enormously proud of her, and pleased with the way she represents our PhD program in the broader scholarly community.”

Dr. Daniel Wickberg,
associate professor,
School of Arts and Humanities

Barger is working with Dr. Daniel Wickberg and Dr. Charles Hatfield on the project.

“This AAUW dissertation fellowship is richly deserved. Lilian is a serious, hard-working and intellectually creative student. She has taken on a very challenging topic, one that requires mastery of a broad range of modern thought over a long period of time,” said Wickberg. “Her work represents the best the humanities, and intellectual history in particular, have to offer. I am enormously proud of her, and pleased with the way she represents our PhD program in the broader scholarly community.”

Wickberg also said he is confident that Barger’s dissertation will be the foundation of a published book.

Barger will present a portion of her research at the International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association later this month in Washington, D.C.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of AAUW’s fellowships and grants supporting women engaged in scholarship, research and social projects.