Beatriz Urraca, PhD
- Chair, Modern Languages
- Professor of Spanish
- Gender & Sexuality
- Arts & Culture
Affiliated Programs
Education
- PhD, Comparative Literature (1993)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (MI) - MA, Comparative Literature (1987)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (MI)
About Me
Love of learning is the most important aspect of the teaching process, for learning cannot be forced; it needs to come from within. I view the teaching of a foreign language, culture, and literature as an activity where the ultimate goal is to facilitate the acquisition of a set of lifelong learning skills that will enrich the students' personal and professional lives. Thus learning, much like teaching itself, must be constantly renewed inside and outside the classroom.
In orienting the students to the discipline, I see myself as a facilitator, providing them with tools and strategies that prepare them to function effectively in a global society through the development of communicative strategies, critical thinking, and the appreciation of diversity. None of this can happen simply by meeting for three hours a week in a classroom, and for that reason regular field trips to museums, artistic performances, ethnic restaurants—and whenever possible—trips abroad provide opportunities to interact with the students in an informal setting and for them to experience ways in which they can continue to learn and profit from that learning long after the course is over.
Research Interests
I am trained in comparative literature, and specialize in Argentine cinema produced since the late 1990s. I am particularly interested in representations of social justice, gender issues, and environmental humanities. I have also published pieces related to my international activities with students.
Media Expertise
- Latin American literature
- Latin American culture
- Argentina
- Spanish language
Publications
- “Café y Coronavirus: Una realidad en transición,”con Stephen R. Madigosky. Revista Científica Monfragüe Desarrollo Resiliente. Special Issue Reflexiones sobre el coronavirus y sus impactos. (2020): 175-181. https://www.eweb.unex.es/eweb/monfragueresilente/Monografico%20Covid%2019.pdf
- Urraca, Beatriz, and Gary M. Kramer, eds. Directory of World Cinema: Argentina. Bristol: Intellect, Limited, 2014. Print.
- Urraca, Beatriz. "Rituals of Performance: Ricardo Daran as Father Julian in Elefante blanco." Revista de Estudios Hispanicos 48.2 (2014): 353–372. Web.
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Latin American Studies Association (LASA)
- Asociación Argentina de Estudios de Cine y Audiovisual (AsAECA)
Awards
- Fitz Dixon Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019)
News
In the Media
Noteworthy
- Spanish and Communications Student Receives Janice Bond Memorial Award for Graduating Senior
By: Riya Sembhi '25 secondary education, English
Zora DeSeignora ’23, a double major in Spanish and Communications, has been awarded the Janice Bond Memorial Plaque and Award for Graduating Seniors from the Pan American Association of Philadelphia. She is the first student from Widener to receive this award, which is given to graduating seniors of local colleges and universities for excellence in courses related to Latin America during their four years.
The award was presented at the 2023 Pan American Day Celebration & Scholarship Luncheon at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Joining Zora at the event was her father, John, and Professor of Spanish Beatriz Urraca. The luncheon provided networking opportunities for students present, as well as a keynote address from Ramón Eduardo Martínez de la Guardia, Ambassador of Panama to the United States.