Professor McKenna studies 20th-century American literature, comparative literature (politics and the novel), literatures of the Americas in cross-cultural perspective, Chicano and Chicana literature of the 20th century, Third World women in literature. Throughout her career, she has researched the study of literature and cultural theory, literature and psychoanalysis, literature and politics, and gender issues. Chicano/Latino Studies; American Studies; Feminist Theory; Race and Representation

(Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1980) Associate Professor of English and ASE: Chicano/a and Latino/a literature; 20th century American literature and culture; ethnic American literature; gender and race.