St. Bonaventure University

Faculty


Medrano, José Manuel

Jose Medrano

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
World Languages and Cultural Studies
ACADEMIC SCHOOL
School of Arts and Sciences

TITLES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Associate Professor, World Languages & Cultural Studies (Spanish)
Department Chair
CONTACT
Office phone: (716) 375-2321
Send an email
OFFICE
Plassmann Hall 208
COURSES TAUGHT
  • SPAN 101. Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 102. Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 201. Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 202. Intermediate Spanish II
  • SPAN 301. Conversation and Composition
  • SPAN 303. Advanced Grammar and Composition
  • SPAN 305. Latin American Civilization and Culture I
  • SPAN 307. Latin American Civilization and Culture II
  • SPAN 311. Enchanted Spain: Unveiling Spanish Fairytales and Cultural Treasures (Spain Program)
  • SPAN 324. Latin American Literature in Translation
  • SPAN 327/NAIS 327. Indigenous Voices of Latin America
  • SPAN 335F. Mexican Narco-Narratives
  • SPAN 335G. Hispanic Culture & Film
  • SPAN 335M. Intersectionality: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Social Change in Mexico & the US
  • SPAN 335X. From Pablo Escobar to El Chapo: Navigating the Legacy of Drug Lords

In Other Departments:

  • BONA 101. Introduction to St. Bonaventure University
  • SBU 101. Community of Learners
  • SBU 102. Introduction to Contemporary Diversity
ACADEMIC DEGREES
  • Ph.D., University of California, Riverside (2018)
  • M.A., University of California, Riverside (2015)
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (2010)
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
  • Assistant Professor, St. Bonaventure University, fall 2019 to present
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Pacific Lutheran University, fall 2018 to spring 2019
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Awards

  • Junior Faculty Award, St. Bonaventure University. May 2024.
  • Good Shepherd Award, St. Bonaventure University (University Ministries). May 2023.
  • The Leo E Keenan, Jr Faculty Appreciation Award, St. Bonaventure University (Student Affairs Division). April 2023.

Publications: Book

  • 90 años de la novela moderna en Colombia (1927- 2017): de Fuenmayor a Potdevin (co-author with Raymond L Williams), Bogotá, Colombia: Ediciones desde abajo, 2018. Reviewed in Chasqui (Academic Journal), No. 48.2, November 2019: 27-29.

Publications: Book Chapter (Peer-Reviewed)

  • Medrano, José Manuel (First Author), and Raymond L. Williams, “The Postmodern Novel and the Post-Boom in Latin America.” In The Oxford Handbook of the Latin American Novel. Edited by Juan E. De Castro and Ignacio López-Calvo. Oxford Handbook Series, Oxford University Press, May 2022 (Online)/ February 2023 (Print).

Publications: Peer-Reviewed Articles

  • Medrano, José Manuel. La ciencia detrás del contar historias: “Los claveles de Julia” de José María Samper y otras lecturas colombianas (The Science Behind Telling Stories: “The Carnations of Julia” of Jose Maria Samper and other Colombian Readings). In Modernidad y posmodernidad en la narrativa del Tolima. Edited by Carlos Orlando Pardo. Pijao Editores, June 2022.
  • Medrano, José Manuel. Hacía una lectura ecocrítica de El jardín de las Weismann de Jorge Eliécer Pardo (Towards an Ecrocritical Reading of El jardín de las Weismann). In: Humanitas. Revista de Teoría, Crítica y Estudios Literarios (Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León), July 2023.
  • Medrano, José Manuel. Sor Juana: Desafiando el poder. (Sor Juana: Defying power). In: La lengua de Sor Juana (The Sor Juana Postgraduate and Studies Center), November 2023.
  • Medrano, José Manuel. “Navegando entre brújulas y mariposas: descolonización y sabiduría en la película El abrazo de la serpiente (Colombia, 2015), dirigida por Ciro Guerra” (Navigating Between Compasses and Butterflies: Decolonization and Wisdom in the Film Embrace of the Serpent). Middle Atlantic Review of Latin American Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, 2023, p. 71-97.
  • Medrano, José Manuel. Dreams of Freedom: Fairies, Love, and Resistance in Post-Civil War Spain. In: Humanitas. Revista de Teoría, Crítica y Estudios Literarios (Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León), July 2024.
  • Medrano, José Manuel. The Power of the Word: Language as an Instrument of Domination. In: La Torre Del Virrey. Revista de estudios culturales, vol, 36, no. 2, 2024, p. 23-36.

Selected Research Presentations

  • The Midwest Modern Language Association, Chicago, Illinois (Presenter and Co-Chair); Loyola University Chicago; November, 2024. Paper on Indigenous Film: Transcending Borders: Reflections on Colonialism and Identity in Contemporary Cinema.
  • Congresos Internacionales de Literatura y Estudios Hispánicos (Presenter and Moderator);  San Sebastián (Donostia), Basque Country, Spain;  June 2024. Paper on Liquid Modernity: The nuances of the pandemic: an exploration of Carlos Orlando Pardo's Los tiempos del encierro.
  • The Midwest Modern Language Association, Cincinnati, Ohio;  Loyola University Chicago;  November 2023. Paper on Indigenous Film: El choque de paradigmas: Ciencia, misticismo e identidad en El abrazo de la serpiente.
  • First International Book Fair of Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia;  Government of Colombia (Tolima) and Pijao Editores;  November 2023.
    Keynote Speaker
    Topic: "The Importance of Colombian Literature to the World"
    Summary: At the First International Book Fair of Tolima, I delivered a keynote speech underscoring the global significance of Colombian literature. Exploring the rich literary contributions of the Tolima region, I acknowledged the crucial role played by Pijao Editores and the dedication of Carlos Orlando Pardo and Jorge Eliécer Pardo. The core of my message centered on the pivotal role of Toliman literature in Latin American literary traditions, emphasizing its unique voices, distinctive styles, and profound exploration of regional and universal themes. Referencing Raymond L. Williams' work, I highlighted the profound impact of Toliman literature on the broader Latin American literary landscape. The speech concluded by celebrating the contemporary vibrancy of Toliman literary tradition and inviting participants to reflect on the enduring power of literature, stressing the integral role it plays in shaping cultural and political identities. In summary, I positioned Toliman literature as a literary gem of immense value within the broader context of Latin American literature, recognizing its authors' skill in unraveling the complexities of power and politics with narratives that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
  • First International Book Fair of Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia; Government of Colombia (Tolima) and Pijao Editores; November 2023. Paper on Colombian Literature: Los matices de la pandemia: una exploración de Los tiempos del encierro de Carlos Orlando Pardo.
  • First International Book Fair of Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia; Government of Colombia (Tolima) and Pijao Editores; November 2023. Paper on Jorge Eliécer Pardo's role as a master storyteller: Jorge Eliécer Pardo: Un maestro de la narración y la reflexión sobre la condición humana.
  • American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, Salamanca, Spain; University of Salamanca; June 2023. Paper on Indigenous Representation in Latin American Film: Soy América Latina: Un pueblo sin piernas, pero que camina.
  • Seneca Iroquois National Museum, Salamanca, New York; Multigenerational Trauma and the Indigenous Peoples of Cattaraugus County; March 2023. Attendee.
  • The Midwest Modern Language Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Loyola University Chicago; November 2022. Paper on Diversity in Higher Education: The Use of Film to Discuss Intersectionality in the Classroom.
  • The Midwest Modern Language Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Loyola University Chicago; November 2022. Paper on Indigenous Studies: Indigenous Voices of Latin America.
  • Encuentro internacional de colombianistas siglo XXI, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia; September 2022. Paper on Colombian Literature: Hacía una lectura ecocrítica de El jardín de las Weismann de Jorge Eliécer Pardo.
  • Congresos Internacionales de Literatura y Estudios Hispánicos (Presenter and Moderator); San Juan, Puerto Rico; March 2022. Paper on Intersectionality: Una telaraña de discriminación: raza, clase social y género.
  • The Midwest Modern Language Association, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Loyola University Chicago; November 2021. Paper on Mexican Film: Being Black in Mexico: Seeing the Ones Nobody Sees.
  • Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), New Zealand; Indigenous Education Solutions to Global Challenges; November 2021. Attendee.
  • The Midwest Modern Language Association, Chicago, Illinois; Loyola University Chicago; November 2019. Paper on Latin American Film: The Blood of the Condor (1969): Different Forms of Truths.
  • Encuentro internacional de colombianistas siglo XXI, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia; June 2019. Paper on Colombian Literature: La ciencia detrás del contar historias: “Los claveles de Julia” de José María Samper y otras lecturas colombianas.
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS/PROJECTS

Research Interests

  • Modern and Contemporary Latin America Literature (México and Colombia)
  • Latin American Cinema
  • Cultural and Political Theory
  • Indigenous Studies of the Americas
  • Ecocriticism

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