Rate My Professor David Anshen

Dr. David Anshen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he contributes to the Literature faculty as core faculty in the Film Studies program. He earned his PhD in Comparative Literature from Stony Brook University. Specializing in film and Marxism, Anshen's academic interests include literary theory and the works of Norman Mailer. He teaches courses such as ENGL 3306: Survey of Literary Theory and ENGL 1305: Writing Cultural Studies, guiding students through critical analysis and cultural perspectives. His pedagogical approach emphasizes the intersections of literature, film, and socio-political critique, fostering skills in theoretical engagement and cultural interpretation.

Anshen's scholarly contributions explore themes of capitalism, crisis, and narrative form across media. Key publications include 'Tiger King, the Pandemic, and the Staging of the Crisis of Capitalism in Grifters, Animal Lovers, and the Ending of Capitalist Triumphalism' in Screen Bodies (2024), 'The Importance of International Exchange in a Time of Worldwide Economic and Political Crisis and Change' in New Literaria (2026), 'Literary criticism I' in the Encyclopedia of Critical Political Science (2024), 'A new politics of form in Harlot's ghost' in The Mailer Review (2008), and 'Reading and Writing about Reading Writing' in American Book Review (2007). These works demonstrate his impact on discussions of media representation, political allegory, and critical theory. Anshen serves as a Visiting Scholar at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India, promoting international collaborations between UTRGV and KIIT. His efforts highlight the role of global academic exchange in addressing contemporary challenges, enhancing cross-cultural understanding in Literature and Cultural Studies.