Cargo esta marginalidad...: Transdisciplinary Thinking in Lourdes Casal

Recognized by many as a founding figure of Caribbean, Cuban and Latino Studies, Lourdes Casal (1938-81) posed questions and explored research methods that are usually located in the humanities or the social sciences, yet her work proposed the need to question disciplinary boundaries in Latin American, Caribbean, Latino, and Cuban studies. Dr. Yolanda Martinez-San Miguel will discuss Casal\u27s transdisciplinary contributions using three concrete examples: (1) her academic training and doctoral dissertation; (2) her study of Cuban exile and migration by combining research approaches from psychology, sociology, and literary and cultural studies; and (3) her focus on womanist recoveries of Cuban history and diasporic experiences as precursors to work on sexuality and gender studies. The presentation will end with a discussion of Casal\u27s legacy for interdisciplinary programs (usually known as the studies units) in area, ethnic, and woman\u27s studies