Kathleen Connolly

Teaching

I enjoy teaching a broad variety of courses, some based in Spain, others which embrace a global, pan-Hispanic view. The topics of my courses include immigration, representations of gender and race, as well as disability and the body.

In my classes students will engage with literary and historical texts, film and other visual arts, and music. I encourage students to make connections between their own culture and society and the material that we study in class, as the conflicts and themes that we discuss are relevant to their own experiences.

I strive to create a classroom environment that is inclusive and respectful of students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences with Spanish- whether they spent some or all of their childhood in a Spanish-speaking country, grew up speaking with family, or are leaning Spanish as a second language.

As a student of several languages, I understand that it takes a bit of courage to express oneself, particularly in front of one’s peers. When relevant I enjoy sharing my own experiences living and studying in Spain, Colombia and Brazil.

Research

I am currently working on a book that explores disability, performance and activism in contemporary Spain.

Recently I co-edited the volume, Environmental Cultural Studies Through Time: The Luso-Hispanic World Hispanic Issues/University of Minnesota Press 2019). 

My previous publications examined representations of race, migration and mixed couples in Spain and the EU.