Resumé of Stephen C. Jett, Ph.D.

Abingdon, VA

BORN: 12 October 1938, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.; American citizen

FAMILY: wife Lisa Sue Roberts Jett, Ph.D. (Geography); daughter, Jennifer F. Jett (Mrs. Allan Heider), J.D., and grandchildren Jacob and Morgan Heider

EDUCATION:

  • The Johns Hopkins University: Ph.D. (Geography), 1964
  • University of Arizona: Special Student (Anthropology), 1962–1963
  • Princeton University: A.B., cum laude (Geology), 1960
  • The Experiment in International Living: France, 1960
  • The University School, Shaker Heights, Ohio: diploma cum laude and History Prize, 1956

ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT:

  • University of California, Davis:
    Professor Emeritus of Geography and of Textiles and Clothing, 2000-present
    Professor of Textiles and Clothing (Step V), 1996–2000
    Professor of Geography (Step IV), 1979–2000
    Associate Professor of Geography, 1972–1979
    Assistant Professor of Geography, 1964–1972
    Chairperson of the Department of Geography, 1978–1982, 1987–1989
    Acting Chairperson of the Department of Geography, 1975–1976
  • The Ohio State University:
    Instructor in Geography, 1963–1964
  • Other Institutions:
    Courses taught or co-taught at: Canyonlands Field Institute/College of Eastern Utah, Emory and Henry College, Virginia Intermont College, and The College for Older Adults (Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center)

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

  • University-level teaching capabilities: cultural geography and cultural ecology, world-regional geography, introductory physical geography, introductory physical geology, arid lands, Southwestern U.S.A., American Indians, conservation/environmental science
  • Research: culture-historical and historical geography, especially Native peoples of the American Southwest (particularly, the Navajo); pre-Columbian transoceanic influences; ethnographic material culture (especially buildings, textiles and other crafts, and weapons); cultivated plants and subsistence farming; sacred places and placenames; scenic resources and tourism in the U.S. Southwest; placenames
  • Service to professional associations and institutions: Association of American Geographers, American Indian Specialty Group, Director (1987–1991), Chairman (1989–1991); Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, Annual Meeting Steering Committee and Program Chairman (1987), candidate for President (1989); National Council for Geographic Education, Region 1 Awards Committee (1986–1989); College of Eastern Utah/White Mesa Institute, Advisory Council (1989); Association of American Geographers representative to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Section H, Anthropology (1993–1996); The Epigraphic Society, board (1996–present), vice president (2005–present); Institute for the Study of American Cultures, board (1996–2003); Foundation for Research of Ancient Maritime Exploration, board member, treasurer (2003–2010), founder and editor of Pre-Columbiana: A Journal of Long-Distance Contacts, for Early Sites Research Society (1997–present)

PUBLIC SERVICE

  • life-long involvement in environmental conservation and scenic and historic preservation; noise-control; land-use issues

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

  • French: reading, writing, and conversational fluency
  • Spanish: reading, limited writing and conversational ability
  • Latin and other Romance languages: limited reading ability
  • German: slight reading ability
  • Navajo: limited use for placename analysis

PUBLICATIONS

  • 7 books (some co-authored), 2 monographs, 2 exhibition catalogues/brochures, and 143 chapters and articles, plus many other items

PUBLICATIONS HONORED

  • Navajo Wildlands:
    • Named one of 50 Books of the Year 1967, American Institute of Graphic Arts (hardcover edition); one of 20 Merit Award Books, 1969, Western Book Publishers Association (softcover edition)
  • Navajo Architecture:
    • Named one of the Outstanding Academic Books and Non-Print Materials of 1981, Anthropology, by Choice (American Library Association)
  • Article “The Rugs of Nero Wolf et al.” winner of the 2011 The Gazette Writing Contest, The Wolfe Pack, category The World of Nero Wolf

GUEST CURATION AND CO-CURATION OF EXHIBITIONS

  • Interwoven Heritage: A Bicentennial Exhibition of Southwestern Indian Basketry and Textile Arts, Memorial Union Gallery, University of California, Davis: 1976
  • Bags, Bands, Blankets, and Kilims: Turkic and Iranian Tribal Textiles from the Collection of Stephen C. Jett, Pence Gallery, City of Davis, CA: 1989
  • Pueblo Pottery and Navajo Rugs, Pence Gallery, City of Davis, California: 1983
  • Woven Jewels from the Black Tents: Baluchi, Aimaq, and Related Tribal Weavings of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Georgia Museum of Art, The University of Georgia: 2006

INTERESTS AND AVOCATIONS

  • Travel, photography, collecting tribal textiles and other ethnic art as well as books, architectural history and historic preservation, French language and culture, philately

Expanded Curriculum Vitae

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