Two McGill Arts professors were awarded the H. Noel Fieldhouse Award for Distinguished Teaching during this year’s Spring 2025 Arts convocation ceremonies.
Daniel Douek, Faculty Lecturer, Department of Political Science, received the “huge honour” during Monday, June 2nd’s Arts B Ceremony.
“In my classes, I have seen McGill students demonstrate time and time again a commitment to the good-faith pursuit of learning about incredibly charged and volatile conflicts such as those in the Middle East and Africa,” says Douek. “I have been humbled by my students' tireless commitment to learning, to honing the craft of writing, to discovering and pursuing their own research interests, and to challenging preconceived notions. For me, the privilege of working with them has only become more special over time."
Jacob Blanc, Associate Professor in the Institute for the Study of International Development and the Department of History and Classical Studies, was the second recipient of the teaching award during Tuesday, June 3rd's Arts C ceremony.
"Receiving this award is such an honor. Having arrived at McGill only two years ago, it means so much that my students have already received me so enthusiastically,” says Blanc. “I strive to make my classrooms spaces for engaged, open, and critical learning, and where we should also have fun and enjoy each other's company all while challenging ourselves to think deeply about history and the challenges of the world. This award is a lovely reminder to never stop trying to make my classes as strong and dynamic as possible."
Read the award citations below:
Daniel Douek
“Daniel Douek is an innovator in teaching and course design in both his area-focused courses on Africa and the Middle East, as well as in his large introductory courses on international relations and comparative politics.
He has developed seven new upper-level undergraduate courses and has re-designed others to ensure they address current issues. In all his teaching, he uses case studies to illustrate the dynamics of various political processes and how they highlight the human stakes involved. Students consistently underscore his sensitivity and nuanced approach and extol his commitment to fairly depicting all sides. His passion for what he teaches is infectious, enabling him to engage and hold the attention of his huge lecture classes. His reputation is such that one student remembers: “I saw people who were not even taking this course showing up in LEACOCK 132 standing on their feet the entire lecture.”
But perhaps this student said it best: “Saying a class is a ‘Douek Class’ is a byword among students for a GREAT class.”
Jacob Blanc:
“Since arriving at McGill only two years ago, Jacob Blanc has had a tremendous impact on students in both the Department of History and in the Institute for the Study of International Development.
Professor Blanc cultivates a welcoming and non-judgemental space for students, as he blends traditional historical analysis with student-driven learning experiences and innovative methods. His use of storytelling and diverse source materials, from archival documents to environmental data, challenges students to think critically about how historiography works.
As one student wrote: “Distinguished teaching, in my opinion, goes beyond simply delivering lectures, assigning coursework, and grading papers. It is characterized by a professor’s ability to inspire intellectual curiosity, foster critical thinking, and create an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Professor Blanc embodies all these qualities.” Another student began their letter this way: “I feel grateful to be able to write this letter of support because of the contributions Professor Blanc has made to enriching my undergraduate experience, fuelling my passion for history, guiding my interests, and helping me build personal confidence in my research methodologies.”
That, perhaps, says it all.”