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FRANCIS FREDERICK KWAKU AGBEMADE

Arizona State University, Tempe Campus 618 West 15th Street
Spanish and Portuguese Program Tempe. AZ, 85281
School of International Letters and Cultures Cell: 740-447-8201
PO Box 870202 Tempe, AZ 85287
fred.agbemade@asu.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Spanish – Specialization in Caribbean Lit. & Cultural Studies (expected May, 2019)
Arizona State University
Dissertation: “Del orientalismo a la rehistorización afrocaribeña en Alejo Carpentier:
nuevo conocimiento literario del siglo XX” (From Orientalism to Afro-Caribbean
Rehistorization in Alejo Carpentier: New Literary Knowledge in the 20th Century)
Dissertation Committee Chair: Emil Volek
Master of Arts in Spanish – Language and Literature (May, 2014)
Ohio University
Graduate non-degree studies in Intercultural and Translation Studies (July 2013)
Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
Bachelor of Arts (French & Spanish) (May, 2010)
University of Ghana, Legon
Advanced Course in Spanish Conversation and Composition (June 2009)
Universidad de Cienfuegos, Cuba
French Teachers’ Certificate ‘A’ (June, 2002)
Mount Mary Training College, Somanya, Ghana

TEACHING INTERESTS

Cultural Conflicts in Africa and the Caribbean Elementary & Intermediate Spanish Language
Afro-Caribbean Literature & Cultural Identity Intercultural & Literary Translation Studies
Afro-Latin American Studies Advanced Spanish Grammar
Cuban-American Film Spanish Conversation and Composition

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Afro-Caribbean Literature and Culture
Afro-Latin American Literature and Culture
Cuban and Cuban-American Cinema
Spanish and Latin American Cinema
19th-21st Century Latin American Literature
Chicano and Afro-American literature and Cultural productions
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Graduate Teaching Associate (Instructor of Record), School of International Letters and
Cultures, Arizona State University, 2014-present
Courses taught:
SPA 412 Advanced Conversation/Composition (1 section—hybrid*)
SPA 325 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (1 section—hybrid*)
SPA 313 Spanish Conversation and Composition (2 sections—hybrid* and online)
SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish (3 sections—1 hybrid* and 2 online)
SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish (4 sections—3 hybrid* and 1 online)
SPA 102 Elementary Spanish II (6 sections—online)
SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I (4 sections—2 hybrid and 2 online)

*Hybrid courses have 3 weekly face-to-face contact hours.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (Instructor of Record), Modern Languages Department, Ohio

University, 2011-2014
Courses taught:
SPAN 112 Elementary Spanish II (3 sections—face-to-face)
SPAN 111 Elementary Spanish I (2 sections—face-to-face)

Teaching Assistant, Modern Languages Department, University of Ghana, 2010-2011

As teaching assistant to Joana Boampong, Faculty Head of the Spanish Section in the
Department of Modern Languages, I facilitated class discussions in her Spanish language,
literature, and culture courses, and collaborated on syllabus and exam development for
Beginners Spanish courses. I also organized Spanish grammar and orals tutorials for students
in level 100 to 400.

French Teacher, Nadowli L/A Junior High School, Upper West Region, Ghana
I prepared and implemented lessons and materials for all junior-high classes in French

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

Online Platform Assistant, Spanish Language Program, School of International Letters and
Cultures, Arizona State University, 2015-2018
I set up the MySpanishLab online component for all 100 and 200-level hybrid and online
courses; prepared supplementary materials to support continuity between online and in-person
course components; I provided training and technical support for instructors.

Spanish Tutor, Spanish Writing and Tutoring Center, School of International Letters and
Cultures, Arizona State University, 2014-present.

Language Assistant, International Relations Office, Universidad de Sevilla, 2012-2013

While in an internship program with the University of Seville’s Translation Bureau, I assisted
in the translation of varied Spanish literary texts and documents into English and vice versa.
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Administrative assistant, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Scientific Research, University of

Ghana, 2008
While working as an intern at the institute, I translated and proofread French documents for
international conferences, and I interpreted conversations between Francophone participants
and their Anglophone counterparts on the fight against malaria.

Spanish Language Program Assistant, School of International Letters and Cultures, Arizona
State University, 2016
I managed the Spanish Writing & Tutoring Center, which included developing the online
tutoring platform, scheduling tutors, and preparing reports. I contributed to regular program
reviews by preparing semester enrollment reports and student and instructor surveys. I
collaborated in the lower-division language program redesign process by developing exams,
assignments, projects, rubrics, and calendars, editing syllabi, and setting up Blackboard course
development shells.

PUBLICATIONS

Journal Article
 “La arquitectura narrativa en Recuento de Luis Goytisolo: una mirada retrospectiva y crítica a la
España de posguerra.” Circunloquios 3 (2016): 33-43.

In Progress
 “Del exilio forzado al aculturamiento estadounidense problemático: imagen-acción y
modalidad en el cine cubano y cubano americano.”

 “Las alianzas políticas y sociales entre afroamericanos y latinos: ¿sueño imposible o realidad a
distancia?”

 “El indígena en la novela El indio de Gregorio López y Fuentes: el fracaso de su

representación dentro del marco de la Revolución Mexicana.”

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

● “La contradicción entre esclavitud y ciudadanía en Sab de la Avellaneda.” X Coloquio

International Afroamérica; Esclavitud, africanías y racismo en nuestra América y el Caribe.
CIALC, Torre II de Humanidades, DF, México. December 4-7, 2018. Upcoming

● “La arquitectura narrativa en Recuento de Luis Goytisolo: una mirada retrospectiva y crítica a la
España de posguerra.” 21st Annual Literature, Culture, and Visual Arts Conference, Arizona
State University, Tempe, March 16-17, 2018.

● “Lo afrocubano en Requiem de Yarini por Carlos Felipe: un espacio de entremedio y de

transculturación.” SAMLA 89 Conference, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia,
November 3-5, 2017.
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● “La negación arraigada y naturalizada de la presencia de los afroargentinos en el imaginario

colectivo de Buenos Aires: una construcción ideológica como nación blanca.” The Louisville
Conference on Literature & Culture since 1900. The University of Louisville, February 2017.

● “El indígena en la novela El indio de Gregorio López y Fuentes: el fracaso de su representación

dentro del marco de la Revolución mexicana.” Fourth Biennial Conference of the International
Association of Inter-American Studies. University of California, Santa Barbara, October 4-6, 2016.

● “El vodú: protagonista y arma revolucionaria en El reino de este mundo de Alejo Carpentier.”
Afro Cuban Artists: A Renaissance conference. University of Columbia, Missouri, April 2016.

● “La presencia del vodú en El reino de este mundo.” Rocky Mountain Council for Latin American
Studies’ 62nd Annual Meeting (RMCLAS) 2015. University of Arizona, Tucson, April 2015.

● “La dominación y la construcción del miedo: el rol de la Iglesia Católica durante los años de
plomo en Argentina.” 18th Annual Literature, Culture, and Visual Arts Conference, Arizona
State University, Tempe, March 20-21, 2015.

INVITED TALKS

● “Santería Ceremonies and Oracles in Contemporary Cuban Culture.” Scottsdale Center for
the Performing Arts Discovering Series Lecture on Cuba, November 27, 2018. Upcoming

● “Life as a Grad Student at ASU.” International Student Orientation, Arizona State University,
Fall 2018.

● “The Socio-Political Climate in Cuba Today.” Talk given at SPA 316 class (Spanish
Conversation and Composition for heritage speakers), School of International Letters and
Cultures, Arizona State University, Fall 2017.

● “Transitioning to ASU From Another University in the U.S.” International Student

Orientation, Arizona State University, Fall 2017.

● “MySpanishLab, What’s New?” Spanish TA Orientation, School of International Letters and

Cultures, Arizona State University Spring 2016.

● “Living in the US.” International Student Orientation, Arizona State University, Fall 2016.

● “Best Practices with Unidos.” Spanish TA Orientation, School of International Letters and
Cultures, Arizona State University, Fall 2015.

● “Scaffolding Language Proficiency: Novice to Intermediate Level.” Talk given at SPA 591
(Spanish TAs’ Teaching Methodology) class, School of International Letters and Cultures,
ASU, Fall 2015.
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● “Transition from Novice to Intermediate: What Does It Take?” First Annual Foreign and
Heritage Languages Share Fair, School of International Letters and Cultures, ASU. November
13, 2015.

SERVICE

I. Departmental

A. School of International Letters and Cultures, Arizona State University

● Peer Mentor, SPAGrad, Spanish & Portuguese Program, 2016-present.
● Chair, SPAGrad Travel Grant Committee, 2017-present.
● Chair, SPAGrad Mentoring Committee, 2016-2018.
● Moderator, Entre Amig@s Spanish Conversation Club, 2015-present.
● Planning Committee member, Homecoming Block Party, 2016-17.
● Planning Committee member, XVIII Annual Literature, Culture, and Visual Arts
Conference, March 20-21, 2015.
● Vice-President, Theta Epsilon Chapter, Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic
Honor Society, 2015-2016.
● Member, coordination team, High School Language Fair, 2011-15.

B. Modern Languages Department, Ohio University

● Moderator, Spanish Conversation Hour, 2011-2014.
● Peer Mentor, Spanish Graduate Student Association, 2013-2014.

C. Modern Languages Department, University of Ghana

● Peer Mentor/Advisor, University of Ghana Spanish Students Club, 2010-2011.
● Year-Abroad Group Coordinator—served as a liaison between fellow students, the
Ghanaian Embassy in Cuba, and the Department of Modern Languages, 2008-2009.

II. Institutional

A. Arizona State University

● Director of International Student Affairs, Graduate and Professional Student
Association (GPSA), June 2018-present.
● Chair, International Student Affairs Committee, Graduate and Professional Student
Association (GPSA), August 2018-present.
● Member, International Student Concerns Committee, Arizona State University,
September 2018-present.
● Sun Devil Support Network Advisor, Arizona State University, September 2017-
present.
● Global Guide Student Advisory Board Member, Arizona State University, September
2017-present.
● Chair, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Committee, Graduate and
Professional Student Association (GPSA), August 2017-July 2018.
● Assembly Member, Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Humanities), February 2015- June 2018.
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B. Ohio University
● Senate Member, Graduate Students Organization, 2013-2014.
As a student representative, I served on the Academic Affairs and International
Students Affairs Commissions. We drafted policies and advocacy programs around
relevant issues affecting the academic and professional life of students.

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

 Graduate College Completion Fellowship, Arizona State University, 2018-2019.

($17,000.00)
 Graduate and Professional Students Association Leadership Scholarship, Arizona State
University, 2017, 2018. ($5,380.00)
 Travel Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Association, Arizona State University,
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. ($3,518.00)
 Travel Grant, Graduate College, Arizona State University, 2017, 2018. ($1000.00)
 Foster Latin American Research Ph.D. Fellowship, Arizona State University, 2014.
($850.00)
 University Graduate Fellowship, School of International Letters and Cultures, 2014, 2015,
and 2016. ($2,512)
 Universidad de Sevilla (Spain) Exchange program Scholarship, Ohio University, 2012-
2013 ($15,000.00)
 Universidad de Cienfuegos (Cuba) Language Immersion Program Scholarship, University
of Ghana, 2008-2009. ($10,000.00)

HONORS AND AWARDS

 Students Committee Award, Graduate and Professional Students Association, Arizona State
University, 2017-2018.
 Student Leader Award, Graduate and Professional Students Association, Arizona State
University, 2016-2017.
 Judith J. Radke Translation Award, School of International Letters and Cultures, Arizona State
University, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
 Shon Zelman Student Advocacy Award, Graduate and Professional Students Association,
Arizona State University, 2016.
 Teaching Excellence Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, 2014.
 Outstanding performance in SPAN 6902, a seminar course on Miguel de Unamuno, Ohio
University, 2014.
 Outstanding performance in SPAN 536, an introductory course to Hispanic Linguistics, Ohio
University, 2012.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 “Tempe Dissertation Writing Camp.” University Academic Success Programs, Arizona State
University, June 18-22, 2018
 “Faculty Showcase.” EdPlus, Arizona State University, April 3, 2017
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 “VoiceThread in Online Courses.” George Haines, ASUonline, Arizona State University,

April 18-May 23, 2017
 “Preparing Future Faculty.” Arizona State University, 2016-2017.
A year-long series of seminars, discussions, and activities designed to expose a select group of
graduate students to the realities of teaching, research, and service in higher education.
 “ASU Online Faculty Expectations: Best Practices for Teaching Online.” EdPlus, Arizona
State University, February 17, 2016
 “Preparing to Submit for Possible Publication.” Graduate Writing Center, Arizona State
University, April 6, 2016.
 “Developing a Teaching Portfolio.” Graduate Writing Center, Arizona State University, April
14, 2016
 “Tips for Writing a Literature Review.” Graduate Writing Center, Arizona State University,
October 19, 2016
 “Boot Camp for Teaching Online.” EdPlus, Arizona State University, February 9- 22, 2015.
 “Getting Started: Creating Your Course,” “Assigning Activities to Calendar,” and
“Gradebook Overview.” Caridad Jiménez, MySpanishLab Faculty Advisor, Pearson
Education, July 15-20, 2015
 “How to Boost Student Engagement in Your Online Course.” EdPlus, Arizona State
University, August 11, 2015

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 Caribbean Studies Association

 American Literary Translators Association
 Modern Languages Association
 South Atlantic Modern Languages Association
 Ghanaian Association of Hispanists
 Sigma Delta Pi, Theta Epsilon Chapter

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

 Spanish, near-native proficiency

 English, near-native proficiency
 French, high proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing
 Portuguese, proficiency in reading and listening
 Italian, proficiency in reading and listening
 Ewe, native proficiency
 Twi, near-native proficiency
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REFERENCES

Dr. Emil Volek

Professor of Spanish
Arizona State University
School of International Letters and Cultures
Tempe, AZ 85287-0202
480-990-2860
EMIL.VOLEK@asu.edu

Dr. Nina Berman

Director & Professor
School of International Letters and Cultures
Tempe, AZ 85287-0202
480-965-3762
Nina.Berman@asu.edu

Dr. Manuel de Jesús Hernández-G

Professor of Spanish
Arizona State University
School of International Letters and Cultures
Tempe, AZ 85287-0202
480-965-4965
Manuel.Hernandez@asu.edu

Dr. Daniel Vargas (Teaching Supervisor)

Spanish Instructor & Coordinator
Arizona State University
School of International Letters and Cultures
Tempe, AZ 85287-0202
480-235-0043
dmvargas@asu.edu