Assistant Professor of Spanish
Central Hall 207
Dr. Ariel Zatarain Tumbaga received a Ph.D. Hispanic Languages and Literatures at UCLA. Before coming to Southern Oregon University, he worked at UCLA and CSULA teaching Spanish and literature. His research interests are in Twentieth Century Mexican literature and culture, focusing on the representation of indigenous people. He is also pursuing research on race concepts in Mexico, Latin America in general, and among Chicanos/Mexican Americans.
Dr. Tumbaga teaches classes on the representation of indigenous people in Mexican culture and Latin American culture, as well as Mexican Race Concepts. In addition to Intermediate and Advanced Language Courses, he also teaches Introductory Literature classes on Spanish and Latin American literature.
His publication, “Arraigamiento: Contesting Hegemonies in Alfredo Véa Jr.’s La Maravilla,” in Aztlán: Journal of Chicano Studies focuses on Chicano-Yaqui writers and the “arraigamiento” concept that ties Yoeme identity to the sacred Yaqui territory.
His forthcoming article, “Vampires in Balún Canán: The monstrous and Dzulúm” in Hispanic Issues, deals with Rosario Castellanos’ intertwining of indigenous and women’s oppression through the concept of monstrosity.
His most recent forthcoming essay is an analysis of La “India” María’s first film, Tonta, tonta, pero no tanto (1972), as part of a tradition of “ethnographic cinema.”