Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics

PORT 2003 Brazilian Society and Culture

Pre-requisite:PORT 1003

This course is designed to enhance the perception and understanding of Brazilian society and culture. Through the use of three main texts, The Brazilian People (by Darcy Ribeiro, in translation), Brazil: Five Centuries of Change (by Thomas Skidmore) and The Brazil Reader: History, Culture and Politics (Robert M. Levine and John Crocitti, eds.), the course describes Brazil’s ethnic groups (Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and Asians), who, through both mixing and segregation, became the Brazilians of today; the main aspects of Brazilian political and socio-economic history; religions, and popular culture.

The course also focuses on specific Afro-Brazilian issues such as racism, federal laws, and the emergence of an Afro-Brazilian middle class, its representations, past and current repression.

Classes and texts are offered in English. This course creates a channel whereby students can enhance competence in the knowledge of Brazilian society and culture.

Method of Instruction: 2 lectures and 1 tutorial per week
Assessment: 40% in-course assessment, 60% final examination