Kevin Johnson

Department Chair and Associate Professor of History & Global Studies

I Serve in...

History, Global & Political Studies Department

Education

• PhD, History, The University of Memphis
• MA, Biblical Studies, Harding School of Theology
• MA, Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, The University of Chicago
• MA, Art History, The University of Memphis
• BA, History, Erskine College

Career Accomplishments

I oversee the Global Studies major and also work with the History and Social Studies Education majors. The courses I teach focus on world history and usually contain an emphasis on the contributions of women. I lead the Taylor J-term trip to Egypt, where we visit sites in Cairo and Luxor to explore the culture of ancient and modern Egypt through an interdisciplinary approach that covers areas such as: history, religion, politics, architecture, art, language, geography/environment, diplomatic relations, and gender relations. I have also participated in an archaeological season for the University of Arizona at the mortuary temple of one of Egypt’s few female rulers, Tausret.

Featured Work

Johnson, Kevin L. “A Commonner and a Queen: Chancellor Bay and Queen Tausret at the Temple of Amada.” The Ostracon: The Journal of the Egyptian Study Society 27:1 (2021): 3-10. 

Johnson, Kevin L. and Peter J. Brand. “Prince Seti-Merenptah, Chancellor Bay, and the Bark Shrine of Seti II at Karnak.” Journal of Egyptian History 6 (2013): 19–45.

Talks

Gathering the Pieces: An Iconographic Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of a New Kingdom Non-Royal Sarcophagus

What is in a Name? Using Royal Titularies to Illuminate the 19th and 20th Dynasties

Queens and Commoners: The Rights and Roles of Women in Ancient Egypt

About

I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of a Christian liberal arts education. It encourages self-examination, an understanding of a variety of issues, and disciplined thinking. It also demands humility, the realization that other viewpoints may have validity and thus should not be so easily dismissed. It invites students to think globally, to consider the world around them and their place in the Church at large.

Of paramount importance is the integration of faith into the classroom. To that end, I believe that Christian colleges like Taylor are in a unique position to go beyond the aims of secular universities, where ultimately the spiritual well-being and development of the student is of little importance, and the academic development of the student is the singular goal. Well-educated individuals without a moral compass to guide them in the many decisions they will make in their lives are, I believe, distinctly disadvantaged. Taylor’s mission of developing the whole person is something I am excited to be a part of.

I enjoy watching college football, playing tennis, discussing theology over coffee, reading a good biography, and spending time with my girls. I am always on the lookout for a great film recommendation!