Teaching Latinx Literatures in the CSU and California

Latinx literatures span nations, cultures, and contexts. How can we approach their diversity in California classrooms? What are the methods that assist teachers to reach beyond the traditional curricula emphasized in high school and CSU English Departments to emphasize Latinx literature and culture’s expansive range? In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this event invites critical reflection on the opportunities and challenges we encounter as we act on our commitments to Latinx literatures in a variety of disciplines, now and in the future.

This event will highlight the research and teaching of scholars that show Latinx literature’s expansive reach from the 19th Century to the present. Dr. Gabriela Valenzuela, Assistant Professor in CSU LA’s College of Ethnic Studies, will discuss how nineteenth-century periodical writings complicate both established timelines of US Central American literary studies and categorizations of literariness. Dr. Crystal R. Perez, Assistant Professor in CSU East Bay’s English Department, will discuss the study of genre, specifically Chicana historical detective fiction, as a platform for teaching local histories of resistance. The speakers will reflect on their scholarly trajectories, pedagogical methods and models aimed at serving the needs of California’s diverse classrooms, and their own experiences navigating the higher education job market.

Dr. Will Clark, Assistant Professor in SF State’s English Department, will facilitate the speaker discussion and a Q & A with the audience.

Please register for email reminders and to get the Zoom link. 

Join us for a light reception after the talk in HUM 485.

Panelists:  

• Dr. Gabriela Valenzuela, CSU Long Beach
• Dr. Crystal R. Perez, CSU East Bay
• Dr. Will Clark, San Francisco State University

Hosted by:

• English Language & Literature
• Humanities & Comparative World Literature
• Modern Languages & Literatures

Thanks to Will Clark for helping to organize this event as well as generous support from the College Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE).  Bring your students!