Dr. Alexandra Martínez
Curriculum Vitae
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E-mail: amartinez2@jsu.edu
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Education:
PhD
The University of Arizona, August 2010
Major: Contemporary Latin American Literature 19-21 cent.
Minor: Luso-Brazilian culture and literature
Minor: Contemporary Peninsular Literature 19-21 cent.
MA
The University of Arizona, May 2004
Major: Latin American Studies
Primary Areas: Hispanic Literature & Women’s Studies
BA
Northern Arizona University, May 2000
Major: International Relations/Political Science
Minor: Latin American Studies
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Dissertation:
Women and the contention of space in Cuban and Brazilian Film 1960-1990
Director: Dr. Katia da Costa Bezerra
My dissertation treats women’s representation and the contention of space in
contemporary Brazilian and Cuban films. I analyze how societal values regarding gender
roles and, the idea of the nation is represented in the films. I compare two films produced
respectively in Cuba and Brazil from 1960 - 1990’s a period of time characterized by a
boom in film production .This was also a period when, women’s movements were
involved in struggles for women’s rights. These years saw the production of a series of
films that portrayed imaginary articulations of these struggles. My hypothesis is that
these films, although groundbreaking, innovative, and commercially successful, are
marked by some of the gendered contradictions of their time. In fact, my analysis will
point to the fact that, although each film raises many issues and questions about an
egalitarian society for both men and women, all except one film fall short in terms of a
progressive politics of gender.
Grants and Awards
Graduate Tuition Scholarship, The University of Arizona,
8/05-5/06
Graduate College Grant, The University of Arizona,
8/09-5/06
Travel Grant for Conference Presentation, The University of Arizona, 03/08
Assistant to the Director, University of Arizona Study Abroad Segovia,
Spain, 5/09-8/09
Grant for travel to Mountain Bike Collegiate Nationals
10/01
Plattekill, NY, University of Arizona Cycling Club
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Teaching Experience:
Graduate Associate in Teaching. University of Arizona. Fall 2001 – Spring 2010.
Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
Courses taught:
Spanish 101-First Semester Spanish Language
(Summer)
Spanish 102-Second Semester Spanish Language (4 sections yr.)
Spanish 201-Third Semester Spanish Language (4 sections yr.)
Spanish 202-Fourth Semester Spanish Language (4 sections yr.)
Spanish 251-Spanish Language and Literature
(4 sections yr.)
Spanish 325-Intermediate Spanish Composition (Summer)
Spanish 330-Intermediate Conversation
(4 sections yr.)
Adjunct Spanish Instructor. Pima Community College, AZ. Fall 2009-present
Courses taught:
Spanish 101 (1 section)
Geography Instructor. The University of Arizona. Spring 2007.
Department of Geography and Regional Development,
Courses taught:
TA for INDV 102 (survey of cultural geography)
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Teaching Interests
Spanish language and culture, all levels. 19th through 21st-Century Latin American
narrative and culture; Spanish and Latin American Film Studies; Cultural Studies;
Women’s Studies; Luso-Brazilian narrative and culture, Globalization, Cultural
Geography and Theory; 19th through 21st-Century Spanish literature and culture; US
Latino literature, Latin American and Spanish History.
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Conference Presentations
“The Political life of Elena Garro” 2004 Symposium of Spanish Literature,
The University of Arizona, February 2004.
“La vida política de Elena Garro” Conferencia La Casa Lamm, Mexico City,
Mexico, June 2004.
“La Generación X en la literatura fronteriza” 2005 Symposium of Spanish Literature,
The University of Arizona, February 2005.
“Espacio y feminismo en Retrato de Teresa por Pastor Vega” 2007 Symposium of
Spanish Literature, The University of Arizona, February 2007.
“The trajectory of feminism as seen in contemporary Brazilian film” 2008 Symposium of
Spanish Literature, The University of Arizona, February 2008.
“ Casa de Areia and the trajectory of feminism as seen in contemporary Brazilian film”
Hunter College Graduate Symposium, New York, New York, March 2008.
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Editorial Positions
2005-2006 Assistant Editor, Arizona Journal of Hispanic Studies. The University of
Arizona
2009-2010 Assistant Editor, Divergencias. The University of Arizona.
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Experience Abroad
Extensive travel and residence in:
Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Bolivia, Puerto Rico
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Academic Service
Organizing Committee; Coordinator of Services, Spanish and Portuguese Graduate
Symposium, The University of Arizona. August 2009- March 2010
Committee member of Cine Club, Coordinator of Cuban Film segments, The University
of Arizona. 2004-06
Organizing Committee of Hunger Awareness Week, Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ. 1998-97
President of Family Housing Community Council, Campus Heights Family Housing
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ. 1998-97
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Administrative Experience
Community Relations, Ellis Island National Parks Service, New York, New York. 1996
Administrative Assistant, Center for Cuban Studies New York, New York. 1995
Administrative Assistant, Museo Del Barrio, New York, New York. 1995
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Languages
Spanish: Fluent , Native speaker.
Portuguese: Conversational, Intermediate.
French: Basic knowledge.
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Computer Skills
2001, 2007 Word, Excel, Power Point, Web design with Dreamweaver , D2l educational
software, Quia educational software.
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Memberships
Modern Languages Association, 2008-present.
Sigma Delta Pi International Hispanic Honor Society (Spring 2010).
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Community Service /Activism
Spanish translation for legal immigration & criminal cases, Lewis And Roca
Tucson, AZ Summer 2007.
Performer Tucson flamenco series, Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo, Casa Vicente,
Tucson AZ September 2008.
Instructor of mountain biking clinics for women, Phoenix AZ , 2005.
Semipro competivive mountain bike racer 1994-present.
Safe Kids Volunteer, Basic cycling instruction for Tucson Community, 2006.
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References
Dr. Malcolm A. Compitello. Head, Department of Spanish and Portuguese. The
University of Arizona.
Phone: (520) 621 1983
E-mail: compitel@email.arizona.edu
Mailing address:
Spanish and Portuguese
Modern Languages 545
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Dr. Katia Bezerra. Director of Luso-Brazilian Studies. The University of Arizona
Phone: (520)621-3123
E-mail: kbezerra@email.arizona.edu
Mailing address:
(Same as above)
Dr. Lanin Gyurko. Department of Spanish and Portuguese. The University of Arizona.
Phone: (520) 621-3689
E-mail: lgyurko@email.arizona.edu
Mailing address:
(Same as above)
Dr. Eluid Chuffe. Director of Basic Languages. The University of Arizona.
Phone: (520) 621-3123
E-mail: chuffee@u.arizona.edu
Mailing address:
(Same as above)
Dr. Raúl Saba. Associate Director Center for Latin American Studies. The
University of Arizona
Phone: (520) 626-7242
E-mail: rps@email.arizona.edu
Mailing address:
Marshall Building, Suite 280
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0158