Professor Jim Courtad received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001 in Hispanic Literature. After graduation, he taught for eight years at Central Michigan University, and most recently at Bradley University. He specializes in Peninsular literature and culture, particularly from the 18^th-20^th centuries. His research interests include the realist novel, travel literature, food representation in literature and women writers of Puerto Rico. Prof. Courtad resides in Normal with his wife Carrie Anna, a professor of Special Education at ISU, and their two children.