Alexander Elinson

Alexander Elinson is an Associate Professor of Arabic and Head of the Arabic Program in the Department of Classical and Oriental Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York, within the School of Arts and Sciences. His academic work bridges medieval and modern Arabic and Hebrew literary traditions, with a strong emphasis on poetic forms and narrative structures.

Research Interests: His primary research focuses on the poetics of loss and nostalgia in medieval Arabic and Hebrew literature, particularly in the context of al-Andalus. He specializes in the zajal and muwashshah, strophic poetic forms that reflect cultural hybridity, as well as the maqama, a rhymed prose narrative genre. His scholarship extends to modern Arabic poetry and narrative, especially contemporary Moroccan literature, where he explores themes of memory, trauma, identity, and social critique.

Publications and Translations: His monograph Looking Back at al-Andalus is a seminal contribution to comparative medieval literature. He has translated major works by Moroccan authors such as Youssef Fadel, Yassin Adnan, and Khadija Marouazi, bringing North African literary voices to English-speaking audiences. His translations often highlight surrealism, political resistance, and feminist perspectives.

Academic Background:

• M.A. in Arabic Studies, University of Washington, Seattle (1998)
• Ph.D., Columbia University (2004)

Honors and Recognition:

• No specific scientific awards or fellowships are mentioned in the provided text.

Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees or grant funding are listed, his leadership as Head of the Arabic Program suggests active mentorship and program development. He likely supervises student research and contributes to curriculum design in Arabic language and literature.

Laboratories and Research Teams: No formal lab or research team is mentioned, but he is a central figure in the Arabic Studies program at Hunter College, contributing to interdisciplinary scholarship in Middle Eastern and comparative literature.