Cristina Awadalla is an interdisciplinary sociologist whose teaching focuses on Central American politics, Latin American feminisms, women’s labor, and research methods.
Cristina comes to Occidental from UC Santa Barbara, where she earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in sociology, with an emphasis in feminist studies. Her scholarship studies the intersections of gender conservatism, populism, and authoritarianism, with a focus on Central American politics and Latin American feminisms.
Her research and writing explore the relationship between the Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) of Nicaragua and the women’s movement, both historically and in the contemporary period. Her work examines the intersections of gender conservatism, populism, and authoritarianism.
What drew you to teach at Occidental?
Coming from a large public university like UC, Santa Barbara, I was really drawn to the smaller classroom environment and the dynamics this fosters. I saw this as an opportunity to form deeper connections with my students beyond the confines of a single semester–something that is difficult to achieve at larger universities.
Oxy’s emphasis on collaboration, experiential learning, and community engagement resonate strongly with my teaching philosophy. So I saw this as a place where I could bring teaching and service together and explore ways to bridge the town-gown divide in ways that serve our students and the local community. It also doesn’t hurt that I grew up in Highland Park and Glendale and that my family is still local!
With a full semester behind you, what are your impressions of Oxy students?
I am consistently impressed by Oxy students. They are incredibly thoughtful, engaged, well-rounded and eager to ask critical questions. I also appreciate how they draw connections between course content and the world around them. One of the things that stands out is their interdisciplinary approach. I’m often amazed when I learn that some of my students are majoring in fields like Math or Biology, which is quite different from the students I worked with at my previous institution.
When did you first become interested in interdisciplinary sociology and feminism?
I think I was always interested in feminism, even when I didn’t have the language for it, and my love for sociology continued to grow after I took my first class at Pasadena City College. I saw both as essential tools for my own personal development and engaging in the struggles for social justice.
Do you have a favorite class that you are teaching, and why?
Gosh, I’ve really enjoyed all of the courses I have gotten to teach so far. It is such an honor to teach and share Central American histories. I do think one of my favorite classes I’ve taught is my Latina Labors course, where we explore labor conditions and organizing efforts by Latinas across the U.S. and Latin America. It is especially meaningful because we focus on social reproductive and domestic labor. One of the final project options invites students to interview a Latina about her experiences in the labor force, and many of my students interviewed their moms. It was powerful to hear their stories and see them apply course theories to personal experiences. It was also special because often women’s work, particularly mothers’ work, is devalued. Through the project, students were able to see how their mothers’ experiences speak to global issues we tended to in class as well as how their moms are key knowledge holders.