Alfredo Alonso Estenoz
Biography
On sabbatical Spring 2023
I joined the Spanish faculty at Luther College in 2006. I was born and raised in Cuba and came to United States in the year 2000. Among the courses I teach are:
- Latin American Fantasy Fiction
- Social Revolution, Literature and Film in Latin America
- Language and Culture in the Spanish Speaking World (in Peru)
- Spanish for Medical Professionals (in Ecuador)
- Advanced composition
- Elementary and Intermediate Spanish
In 2013, my book on the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, Los lĂmites del texto: autorĂa y autoridad en Borges, was published in Spain. My research interests also include the relationship between literature and politics in Latin America.
Last year (2017) I published a second book on Borges, this time centered around his reception in Cuba.
I am also the Associate Director of the Borges Center, at the University of Pittsburgh, and the associate editor of the Center’s journal Variaciones Borges.
SPAN 460 Seminar in Latin American Literature and Culture
A seminar with rotating topics on Latin American literature and culture. Topics may include the short story in Latin America, Latin American poetry, memory and political violence, Latin American women writers and the representation of Latin America in literature and film. Significant practice in writing, including a research project. Formal assessment of speaking skills. May be repeated up to three times for credit under three different topics.
SPAN 346 Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literature
An introduction to the basic dramatic, narrative, and poetic forms of Hispanic literature utilizing representative works of Spanish and Spanish-American authors. The course will focus on critical approaches to literature, introduce bibliographic resources, and continue development of writing proficiency.
SPAN 303 Written Expression
This is a course for students who have completed intermediate-level coursework in Spanish and who have a solid background in Spanish grammar. Focus on developing skills in writing and reading comprehension in a variety of cultural contexts. The course culminates in a research project.
SPAN 341 Spanish for Medical Professionals
This course is designed for students studying to become medical professionals and who require training in Spanish to serve Spanish-speaking clients in hospital or clinical settings. In addition to exploring medical terminology related to the human body, illnesses and treatments, we will also study communication between Spanish-speaking clients and English-speaking providers in U.S. clinical settings. The course takes place abroad in Spain or Latin America and thus fulfills the immersion requirement for the Spanish minor. In addition to academic work, students will live with host families; visit local clinics, hospitals or medical offices; and participate in guided tours to sites that illustrate the diverse cultural history of the country. All interested students must complete an interview with the instructor prior to enrollment.
SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish
This course is for students who have successfully completed at least one year of college-level Spanish or the equivalent.
- Ph.D., Spanish, University of Iowa, 2005
- M.A., Spanish, University of Iowa, 2002
- B.A., Journalism, University of Havana, 1994