Albert Laguna

Literature, U.S. Latino/a

Albert Sergio Laguna earned his graduate degrees at New York University where he specialized in 20th-century American literature. His dissertation, "The Politics of Pleasure and Play in

Latino/a Literature and Performance," explores a wide variety of Latino/a cultural production, ranging from stand-up comedy to novels, in order to analyze "play" as a narrative strategy that issues critiques of the dominant culture, forges community, and helps to maintain or create transnational ties. "Aquí Está Alvarez Guedes: Cuban Choteo and the Politics of Play," an article based on his dissertation research, is forthcoming in Latino Studies. Albert approaches United States Latino/a cultures through a transnational lens that includes the history and cultural production of the Americas broadly conceived.

While at NYU, Albert taught a variety of courses on American literature, Latino/a literature, and literary theory. The College of Arts and Science recognized his work in the classroom with an Outstanding Teaching Award in 2008. Before joining Columbia, Albert spent time at Dartmouth College as the César Chávez Dissertation Fellow and at Wesleyan University as Visiting Instructor in the English Department where he taught courses on Latino/a literatures and cultures. Outside of the classroom, Albert has a record of working closely with students of color and participating in campus diversity initiatives. He is excited about continuing this work at Columbia. 
 

Office Location: English Department, 300-U, 3rd floor, 33 E. Congress 

Office Phone: 312-369-8128. 

Email: alaguna@colum.edu

Mailing Address: 
Albert Laguna 
Department of English 
Columbia College of Chicago 
600 S. Michigan Avenue 
Chicago, IL 60605