Colin Whitfield

Background

Colin Whitfield is on the faculty of the Department of World Languages and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield. Before Porter, Colin translated technical and literary material professionally.

Colin's work centers on teaching and curriculum in Latin American literature and culture and Deaf culture and studies, including course redesign and mentoring newer instructors.

Areas of expertise

• Latin American literature and culture
• Deaf culture and studies
• Undergraduate research and project mentoring

Teaching

Colin regularly teaches courses in Spanish, French, American Sign Language. Specific sections and syllabi are listed in the class schedule each term.

Colin designs courses around clear, visible learning outcomes, frequent retrieval practice, and prompt feedback, and revises the sequence each year based on where students actually get stuck.

Advising and office hours

Colin advises students in the World Languages programs and holds weekly office hours during the fall and spring terms, posted on the office door and in the course pages. Prospective students are welcome to email to arrange a visit or a call.

Advising conversations usually cover course sequencing, whether to add a minor or a concentration, and how classroom work connects to internships, research, or graduate study. Students who are undecided are welcome; part of the job is helping them narrow things down.

Recent and representative work

Colin's recent activity centers on teaching scholarship and curriculum work in Latin American literature and culture and Deaf culture and studies. Representative items:

• A redesigned course sequence in Latin American literature and culture, with open or low-cost materials.
• A conference presentation on teaching Deaf culture and studies at the undergraduate level.
• Mentoring of new instructors and teaching assistants in the department.

Titles and venues here are illustrative. UW–Porter Falls is fictional; Colin has no real publication record.

Get in touch

The fastest way to reach Colin is email (cwhitfield@uwporterfalls.edu); messages during the fall and spring terms are usually answered within two business days. Prospective students and families can ask the World Languages department office to set up a call, a class visit, or a meeting during an admitted-student day.