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Rachel Walsh.

Rachel A. Walsh

Associate Professor of Italian

rachel.walsh@du.edu

303-871-3492 (Office)

Sturm Hall, 2000 East Asbury Avenue Denver, CO 80208

What I do

I am an adviser and mentor, and a professor of Italian. I served as chair of the newly formed Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures from 2019-2024, and as the Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences during AY 24-25,

I am on sabbatical, returning to the DU classroom during Fall 2026.

Specialization(s)

18th-Century Italian Literature, 19th-Century Italian Literature, canon formation and literary history, Italian theatre

Professional Biography

Dr. Walsh's research interests are 18th- and 19th-century Italian literature, Italian theatre, and canon formation and literary histories. Her book on Ugo Foscolo and his quest to become one of the foremost Italian tragedians of the period -- Ugo Foscolo's Tragic Vision in Italy and England (University of Toronto Press, 2014) -- has been reviewed by Choice, Annali d'Italianistica, Italian Culture, Spunti & Ricerche, Modern Language Review, the Giornale Storico della Letteratura Italiana, Romanic Review and Italica. Dr. Walsh has placed articles in several journals, including the Giornale Storico della Letteratura Italiana, Italica, MLN, and Rassegna Europea di Letteratura Italiana. Her present research centers on the proto-nationalist efforts of the Accademia degli Arcadi in 18th-century Italy.

Rachel actively serves the profession at the national level. Her roles have included positions on the Program Committee for the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (2019, Chair 2020), and the Executive Committee for the MLA's Forum on 17th-, 18th-, & 19th-Century Italian Language, Literature, & Culture (2013-18) and the MLA Delegate Assembly (2017, 2023-25).

Advising and mentoring are integral aspects of Rachel's work. She views both as extensions of teaching that have the potential to advance student persistence and success, as well as positively advancing faculty development. Her current career goal is to foster collaborations, envision and streamline new and innovative processes that ultimately move conversations and initiatives (with students and faculty) to the next phase.

In her free time, you’ll find Rachel with her family – husband Josh, daughter Penny (19), twin sons Tad & Lex (15) and their rescue dog Patches (10.5).

Degree(s)

  • Ph.D., Romance Languages and Literatures, University of Chicago, 2007
  • MA, Romance Languages and Literatures, University of Chicago, 1998
  • AB, Music Theory & Composition, The College of William and Mary, 1997

Professional Affiliations

  • Modern Language Association
  • American Society of Eighteenth-Century Studies
  • American Association of Teachers of Italian

Featured Publications

Walsh, R. A. (2014). Ugo Foscolo's Tragic Vision in Italy and England. Toronto, ONT, Canada: University of Toronto Press.
Walsh, R. A. (2013). Defensio Italiæ: Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in the Writings of L. A. Muratori and P. J. Martello. Italica, 90(4), 548-566.
Walsh, R. A. (2012). Difetti di disegno: Sul nuovo teatro di Como di Ugo Foscolo. Giornale Storico della Letteratura Italiana, 625(1), 91-109.
Walsh, R. A. (2010). Making Histories and Defending Reputations: Ludovico Antonio Muratori and Ugo Foscolo. Rassegna Europea di Letteratura Italiana , 36, 111-128.
Walsh, R. A. (2009). Theatrical Spinning: Ricciarda and Ugo Foscolo's Campaign for Fame. MLN - Italian Issue, 137-157.

Performances

Walsh, R. A. (1969). I tre bravi. Denver, CO.
Walsh, R. A. (1969). Non tutti i ladri vengono per nuocere . Denver, CO.

Presentations

Walsh, R. A. (2020). From 18th-Century Stage to Page: The Novel Case of Pietro Chiari. MLA Annual Convention. Seatle, WA: Forum on 17th-, 18th-, 19th-Century Italian LLC.
Walsh, R. A. (2018). Metastasio and the Proto-National Idea of Italy. ASECS Annual Convention. Orlando, FL: Italian Studies Caucus.
Walsh, R. A. (2017). Printing Italian Proto-National Identity: The Case of Antonio de' Rossi. MLA's Annual Convention. Philadelphia, PA: Forum on 17th-, 18th-, & 19th-Century Italian Language, Literature and Culture.
Walsh, R. A. (2016). Legitimizing Arcadian Practices: Crescimbeni and Celebratory Poems. MLA's Annual Convention. Austin, TX: Forum on 17th-, 18th-, & 19th-Century Italian Language, Literature & Culture.
Walsh, R. A. (2015). Collective Identities: Academies, Salons and Other Networks. MLA's Division on 17th, 18th-, and 19th-Century Italian Literature . Vancouver, BC: Modern Language Association.

Awards

  • Newberry Library, Monticello College Foundation Fellow - $25,200, Newberry Library, Chicago IL
  • Faculty Advisor of the Year, Division of Student Life, University of Denver
  • OTL $20k Grant, University of Denver