Assistant Professor of Medieval Studies Professor, Nahir Otaño Gracia received the UNM College of Arts and Sciences Marshall Award for shifting the focus of World Literature I (ENGL 2650) by prioritizing non-European texts and narratives. Her curricular changes include analyzing world literature through a restorative justice model that concentrates on community building and creating an accessible and anti-racist classroom. For additional information about the award, visit this article from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Professor Otaño Gracia has taught courses such as Intro to World Literature: On Hate and Restorative Justice and Medieval Romance and Race. Her courses tend to cluster canonical works of literature, transgressive literature by women of color, and materials from popular culture that students already know and welcome in order to help students decenter, dismantle, and recreate the canon.
