Brazilian Culture

Code:

EPL003

Acronym:

CULBRA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Cultural Studies - Portuguese

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Portuguese and Romance Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Portuguese Studies

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
EPL	21	Study Plan	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Introduction to Brazilian culture through the study of its formation and the society that supports it. 

Learning outcomes and competences

It is expected that at the end of the course, students are able to know essential aspects of Brazilian culture and problematize its background and its current relationship with its main headquarters. At the same time, it is expected that students should be able to produce a critical discourse based on the points of the program.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I. Brief presentation of Brazil: geographic issues; the major regions; national symbols; the political and administrative system; dates and more relevant historical events
II. The formation of Brazilian society and culture
1. The Indian
1.1. The indigenous culture
1.2. The confrontation with the white world: the extermination and acculturation
1.3. The Amerindian heritage
1.4. Representations of Indians in Brazilian culture
2. The Portuguese
2.1. The imposition of European culture
2.1.1. The film Desmundo, by Alain Fresnot (from the novel by Ana Miranda)
3. The black
3.1. The slavery
3.2. The struggle for the abolition
3.3. The culture of resistance and syncretism
III. Aspects of the contemporary Brazilian culture

Mandatory literature

DaMatta, Roberto; Carnavais, malandros e herois
DAMATTA, Roberto; O que faz o Brasil Brasil, Rocco, 1989
Freyre, Gilberto, 1900-1987; Casa-Grande & senzala. ISBN: 85-01-05664-2
Holanda, Sérgio Buarque de; Raízes do Brasil. ISBN: 85-7164-448-9
Ribeiro, Darcy; O povo brasileiro. ISBN: 85-7164-451-9
SCHWARCZ, LIlia M. & STARLING, Heloisa M; Brasil: uma biografia, Temas & Debates / Círculo de Leitores, 2015

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical presentation of the programme contents; text analysis and comment. Student participation will be encouraged.

keywords

Humanities

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	20,00
Teste	50,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	72,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de investigação	34,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attending 75% of classes, unless established otherwise by law.

Calculation formula of final grade

• Written exam — 50% (a score of 10 out of 20) • Research assignment — 30% (a score of 6 out of 20) Theme: Any topic related to the Brazilian culture (literature, music, cinema, plastic arts, society, geography, history, …) Objective: Assess basic research, reflection and synthesis skills Length: between 5 and 10 pages • Classroom work — 20% (a score of 4 out of 20)

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to course regulations and other applicable rules.

Classification improvement

According to course regulations and other applicable rules.