Magdalena Olivares, Ph.D.

• Lecturer in Spanish

Magdalena Olivares is originally from a rural area near Santiago, Chile. She holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures from The Catholic University of America, a M.A. in Spanish from the University of Oregon, and a B.A. in Education from Pontificia Universidad Católica, Chile. Her academic interests focus on Southern Cone theater and cinema, Mapuche people, gender outlaws, literature and history, and second language pedagogy. Dr. Olivares has recently published on gender outlaws in Lucía Puenzo and Marily Rivas’ films, Mapuche women representation in theater and film, and on the rescue of women’s participation in the conquest and colonial enterprises in Contemporary Chilean theater. Her desire to introduce students to Hispanic culture first-hand has led her twice to serve as resident director for study abroad programs in Mexico. At McDaniel, Dr. Olivares coordinates the Spanish first-year courses.