Kathleen Keller

Professor Kathleen Keller specializes in the history of connections between France and West Africa in the 20th century, especially related to colonialism. Her current research is on the life of a curious character in French history--Mamadou Kane, a Senegalese man who embarked on a variety of adventures in 20th c. France as a prince, wizard, and charlatan.

Dr. Keller's first book Colonial Suspects: Suspicion, Imperial Rule, and Colonial Society in Interwar French West Africa was published in April 2018 by University of Nebraska Press. It recounts the surveillance of "suspicious persons" by French colonial police in the interwar era. The book delves into the politics of colonial identity, the role of the "civilizing mission," and understandings of urban people and space.

http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9780803296916/

Prof. Keller has published articles in the journals French Historical Studies and French Colonial History. 

Dr. Keller offers courses at Gustavus on culture and empire, European history, modern Africa, Vichy France, women's history, world history, and a first term seminar on surveillance. 

Courses Taught