Good cheese, great movies and beautiful monuments - in addition to rich history and culture - are the reasons UNM history professor Jay Rubenstein says he applied for a grant to study in Paris.
Rubenstein received an American Council of Learned Societies Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship of $30,000 to research at the Bibliothäque Nationale and other Paris institutes the impact of First Crusade on European culture. He said he will go through manuscript copies of 12th century historical chronicles, sermon manuals and theological texts that were written by French monks.
The Crusades were launched in the 11th century by Western Christians in order to take possession of Jerusalem, and other places associated with the life of Jesus Christ, from Muslims.
"I want to look at the culture in regards to the art, military, religion and literary works of the time," Rubenstein said.
He said the First Crusade from 1095-1099 had an enormous impact on Europeans, and he wants to know how they adjusted when they returned to their land. He'll be overseas from July 2002 to August 2003.
This is not the first time Rubenstein has researched French manuscripts. He wrote a biography about a French monk and historian Guibert of Nogent, titled "Guibert of Nogent: Portrait of a Medieval Mind," which will be published in the fall.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"It's a great book for that person on your Christmas list who has everything," he said in jest.
Rubenstein, who did graduate work at the University of Oxford and the University of California at Berkley, has taught medieval history and western civilization at UNM since 1999. He said that his students played a major factor in deciding to apply for the grant.
"My students were interested in the First Crusade and my curiosity piqued and I decided that I should go," he said.
Rubenstein, who is from Oklahoma, said he decided to teach at UNM because of its History Department and the Medieval Studies program.
"The Medieval Studies here is phenomenal and I respect the fact that this program is not designed for the elites but rather getting out into the community and presenting medieval history to the public," he said.
He added that he considers himself to be a fun and energetic professor. He said that most history professors that he knows don't have a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" poster in their office. The television show poster is prominently displayed on his inner office door.
He has taught American students in Paris during the past five years and said he looks forward to returning to the city every year.
"I will be staying in a 17th century apartment that has a spectacular view of the beautiful city," Rubenstein said. "It's going to be fantastic."
He talked about his experiences living in Paris and said he enjoys watching the reactions of new visitors to the city have when they see the Eiffel Tower.
"I was working with this kid from Brooklyn, and when we turned the corner and he saw the Eiffel Tower, a wave of emotion swept over him and it was a great memory," he said.
Rubenstein said the rumors about French people acting rude to Americans are false, adding that he encourages everyone he meets to visit the city.
"I think the French do like the American culture and like any new culture it takes some getting used to, but in general they are fun," Rubenstein said.
He said his attraction to Paris comes from more than just its history and culture, adding that he loves the way they make cheese. Rubenstein said he notices a distinct difference in the way cheese is made in Paris than in America.
"It's real cheese and very good," he said. "As soon as I get off the plane, I have to stop at a cafÇ and get a meal with lots of cheese."
He said he loves to watch movies in Paris because they have movie theaters that show new releases, but also hundreds of older movies.
"At any given night there will be 300 movies showing in the city, and you can watch the classics," Rubenstein said.
Rubenstein said he looks forward to researching in Paris for a year but is encouraged to know that he is coming back home to New Mexico.
"How can you go without the Mexican food and green chile?" Rubenstein said.
