PORT 403 - Directed Individual Study

Credits: 3
Planned Offering: Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.

Prerequisites: Two terms of Portuguese language or equivalent and consent of the department head. Taught in Portuguese. The nature and content of the course is determined by the students’ needs and by an evaluation of previous work. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

Fall 2014 topic:

PORT 403: Directed Individual Study: Brazilian Culture and Civilization through Film (3). This course offers an overview of key aspects of Brazilian culture and civilization as seen through film, with supporting material drawn from literature and news articles. Students view, discuss, and analyze movies by Brazilian directors in order to develop an understanding of the culture and of issues that have shaped Brazilian society today. Some of the issues to be addressed include: the country’s ethnic profile; racial relations; the 1964-85 military dictatorship and its aftermath; women and society; immigration and globalization. Students are exposed to these issues through film and develop critical tools to analyze movies in their thematic content and cinematic aspects. The course also offers students opportunities to improve their Portuguese language skills and develop their critical skills. (HU) Pinto-Bailey. Fall 2014 Staff.