Liliana Socorro Naranjo 

Instructor of Spanish 

About Me

I am an educator and researcher specializing in colonial studies, indigenous studies, and ritual practices in Latin America as well as Spanish language instruction.  My work explores the intersection of Andean spirituality and Catholicism in colonial chronicles, as well as the role of indigenous traditions in contemporary cultural expressions. In my teaching, I incorporate task-based methodologies, sustainability themes, and interdisciplinary approaches to enhance students’ linguistic and cultural competencies.

Areas of Expertise

• Colonial Studies – Analysis of early colonial chronicles and their representation of indigenous cultures
• Indigenous Studies – Examination of Andean spiritual traditions and their resilience over time
• Ritual and Religion in Latin America – Study of syncretism and religious practices in colonial and modern contexts
• Spanish Language Instruction – Task-based and project-based learning at the intermediate and Conversational advanced levels
• Sustainability and Social Justice – Integration of ethical discussions on Latin American environmental and social issues in language teaching

Current Projects & Initiatives

• OER Book: Spanish for a Sustainable World – Developing an open-access textbook integrating the UN 2030 Sustainability Goals with Spanish language learning.
• Research on Andean Religion – Examining indigenous beliefs in 16th-century chronicles and their influence on contemporary Andean spirituality.

Selected Publications

📖 Mujeres y guacas cusqueñas en la Relación de las fábulas y ritos de los Incas (c. 1575), de Cristóbal de Molina
Tierra Nuestra, 17(1): 43-54 (June 2023)
DOI: 10.21704/rtn.v17i1.1896

Teaching & Community Engagement