Biography
Dr. Ana María Afzali is a native of Spain. She came to the U.S. in 1984. She brings over 27 years of experience in the teaching of Spanish Language, Literature and History and she has traveled through Spain and Portugal extensively where she is well regarded as an expert Spanish Medievalist.
Doctor Afzali graduated with a degree in Education from University of Maryland, College Park. She completed her graduate studies in Spanish Languages and Literature at University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned her Masters in 1994 and her doctorate in 1999. She also has an academic and professional background in Business Administration. Professor Afzali is the recipient of the Del Amo Fellowship for her research in Medieval Literature in Spain in 1995. In 2019 Ana Afzali received the Distinguished Faculty Award from Citrus college
Her Doctoral Dissertation, Form and meaning of the “Siervo Libre de Amor de Juan Rodríguez del Padrón o de la Cámara‟ is recognized as an important contribution to the research of XV century Spanish Medieval Literature in general and to the study of Sentimental Novel in the Iberian Peninsula specifically.
Other titles published by the author include: “Modern Spain” Los Angeles, 2009 and “Nuestra Lengua: Cuaderno de Gramática Redacción y Cultura Para Hispanohablantes”, Los Angeles, 2001.
“El Didactismo en Juan Rodríguez del Padrón: Una Nueva Lectura del „Siervo Libre de Amor.‟” Published in Spain‟s Literary Legacy. University Press of the South, New Orleans, 2005.
La Sierra del Arcipreste de Hita. Published in the magazine Campo Abierto. Barcelona, Spain, 1994.
Federico García Lorca y la Revelación de la Ropa en su Producción Teatral. Published in the magazine Mester, Los Angeles, 1994. Review of „La Celestina.‟ Published in the magazine Celestinesca, Los Angeles, 1992.
Upon joining Citrus College as a full time Tenured Professor, Dr. Afzali pioneered the creation of two courses of Spanish for Heritage Speakers and a Spanish History course. Her innovative methodology, her extensive knowledge about Spanish history, culture and grammar, and her years of experience in the field of teaching constitute indispensable ingredients for the success of her courses.
Ana’s philosophy
If there is one of those people who is half Spanish and half from the United States is Dr. Ana Afzali. She was born and raised in Madrid, and her family roots go back hundreds of years in the city of Santiago de Compostela. After her mother married an American Diplomat, Ana moved to the U.S. which she now calls home.
Nothing makes her happier than to share Spain with people. She does it with expertise and passion, whether she is giving a private tour, a public lecture or teaching a class. Dr Afzali makes Spain accessible to all those willing to go on a journey with her. She digs deep and brings you into a world full of color, tradition and passion.
