Luke Bowe joined the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures in 2025 after completing a Ph.D. in Spanish at New York University with distinction. His research focuses on cultural representations of (de)industrialization and rurality in Spain from the 20th century through the present, with a specific focus on the region of Asturias during the Franco dictatorship. More broadly, his research and teaching draw on a wide range of materials and methodologies, including film, comics, music, popular culture, oral history, cultural studies, ecocriticism, and labor studies. His research has been supported by a Fulbright Fellowship at the Universidad de Oviedo and appears in “Estudios Asturianos en el Siglo XXI.”

Areas of Expertise

20th and 21st-century Spanish literature and culture, labor studies, environmental studies

Education

2025 — Doctor of Philosophy from New York University

2023 — Master of Philosophy from New York University

2017 — Master of Arts from Complutense University of Madrid

2013 — Bachelor of Arts from Colby College, cum laude

Courses Recently Taught

This first half of the yearlong intermediate-level language course is focused on language and culture for students who are interested in developing their ability to speak, read, write and understand Spanish. In addition to a comprehensive grammar review, the primary texts chosen for the course serve as a general introduction to Hispanic culture and literature. Other materials include short essays, newspaper articles, films, television series and songs, which together provide a point of departure for discussions on a range of issues. This course includes required practice sessions with a teaching assistant, which are scheduled at the beginning of the semester. Students enrolled in this course are automatically added to SPAN 214Y for the spring semester. Prerequisite: SPAN 111Y-112Y or equivalent. Offered every year.

This second half of the yearlong intermediate-level language course builds on the concepts and skills addressed in the first semester, with a continued focus on language and culture for students who are interested in developing their ability to speak, read, write and understand Spanish. Students are exposed to more complex Spanish grammar while also expanding their vocabulary in context, using authentic materials similar to those of the first semester (including short novels, stories, essays, newspaper articles, films, television series, and songs). Students produce more advanced analytic and creative writing assignments, and are asked to actively discuss a range of challenging topics in class with increased proficiency (compared to fall semester). Like SPAN 213Y, this course includes required practice sessions with a teaching assistant, though the days and times for these may be different from the fall semester. Prerequisite: SPAN 213Y or equivalent. Offered every year.