Lidiana de Moraes earned her Ph.D. in Literary, Cultural, and Linguistic Studies from the University of Miami. Originally from Brazil, she brings over a vast teaching experience in literature, cultural studies, and second language education to FSU. Her interdisciplinary work engages feminist cultural traditions, critical perspectives on colonial histories, and creative expression across the Atlantic world, with a particular focus on Latin America and Africa.
As a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow in Vanderbilt University’s Collaborative Humanities program (2022–2025), Lidiana began developing her current book project, Axes of Insubordination: Feminist Luso-Afro-Brazilian Art in a Global Context. The book examines how artists from Portuguese-speaking regions in Africa and the Americas utilize literature, film, and music to challenge dominant narratives, rethink historical memory, and promote social transformation.
At FSU, Dr. de Moraes offers courses that invite students to think deeply and creatively about the world around them. Her classes, such as “Music is Power!” and “Afro-Atlantic Legacies,” encourage students to examine how culture reflects and shapes social dynamics across time and place. She is especially passionate about building inclusive, dynamic learning environments where students feel motivated to engage with unfamiliar ideas, connect across differences, and explore global perspectives with curiosity and consideration.
Outside of the classroom, Lidiana enjoys listening to music, going to concerts, reading novels, and cheering for her favorite soccer teams: Sport Club Internacional and Arsenal.
HUM 2937 - Afro-diasporic Legacies
This course examines the profound influence of African heritage on the music, art, literature, and social developments across the Americas. Students will explore the historical foundations of the African diaspora, from the transatlantic slave trade to the postcolonial era, with particular attention to modern cultural developments. Key topics include the evolution of Afro-Latin-Caribbean music, the role of African-derived spiritual traditions, the historical significance of Black-led social movements, and the contributions of Afro-diasporic visual arts. By analyzing primary and secondary sources, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Afro-diasporic cultures have shaped societies in the Americas and the Caribbean. This course is ideal for students interested in history, cultural studies, art, and the social sciences, offering a rigorous study of transnational cultural exchange.
HUM 2937 - Music is Power
This course examines the relationship between music and sociopolitical movements across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. from the early 20th century to the present. Students will analyze how music serves as a form of personal and collective expression, particularly during periods of social transformation. Adopting a comparative and transnational approach, we will explore key moments in the region’s history where music intersected with political and cultural change. Topics include the role of music in grassroots movements, its use as a means of cultural resistance, and its influence on public discourse. Students will engage with case studies spanning different genres and historical contexts to assess music’s impact on societal structures across the Americas. This course is designed for students interested in musicology, history, cultural studies, and political science, offering critical perspectives on sound, power, and society.