Rachid Aadnani

Rachid Aadnani is a Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at Wellesley College, also affiliated with Comparative Literary Studies and Jewish Studies. He joined in 2002 to develop the Middle Eastern Studies program, teaching Arabic language, literature, and seminars on resistance in North African/Middle Eastern cultures. His research explores language-power dynamics, translation theory, and cultural dissent in Maghrebi contexts. He holds a Ph.D. from SUNY Binghamton and prior degrees from Moroccan and U.S. institutions.

Education:

• B.A., Université Moulay Ismail
• M.A., École Normale Supérieure de Meknès
• M.A., Dartmouth College
• Ph.D., SUNY at Binghamton

Research Focus: Interrogates how language serves as both tool and medium of resistance in Maghrebi literature and music. Current projects include redefining Maghrebi literary canons and documenting protest music in North Africa. His work bridges linguistics, postcolonial theory, and cultural studies.

Teaching: Teaches Intermediate Arabic (ARAB202) and MES310/Jewish Studies 310 seminar on resistance/dissent in regional literatures and cultures, analyzing films, songs, and digital media.

Photography: A practiced photographer, his works have appeared in U.S. and Moroccan publications. Currently preparing a MIT exhibition on North African themes (projected Fall 2020).