Courses in Portuguese
Fall 2011
[Please see the Directory of Classes for the timetable of courses with multiple sections. Readings, assignments, and class discussion in Portuguese unless otherwise noted.]
PORT 1101x
Elementary Portuguese I
4 pts. A beginning course designed for students who wish to start their study of Portuguese and have no proficiency in another Romance language (Students who have said proficiency should take PORT 1320.) The four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing are developed at the basic level.
PORT 1220x
Comprehensive Intermediate Portuguese
4 pts. Prerequisites: PORT W1102 or PORT W1320. This course will foster intensive practice in reading and composition based on short literary and journalistic texts. We will discuss contemporary issues based on articles from Lusophone newspapers and magazines. Students will review grammar, expand their vocabulary and improve oral expression, writing, and reading skills. Students are also exposed to audio-visual material that will deepen their understanding of Lusophone societies and culture.
PORT 1320x
Comprehensive Elementary Portuguese I for Spanish Speakers
José A. Castellanos-Pazos
(multiple sections)
4 pts. Prerequisites: SPAN 1202 or equivalent, or permission from the department. For students unable to dedicate the time needed cover two semesters in one, the regular paced courses (PORT 1101-1102) are preferable. May be taken in place of PORT 1101-1102.An intensive intermediate language course in Portuguese with emphasis on Brazilian culture through multimedia materials related to culture and society in contemporary Brazil. Recommended for students who have studied Spanish or another Romance language. The equivalent of two full semesters in intermediate Portuguese grammar with stress on reading and conversation.
PORT W3101x
Conversations about the Lusophone World
TBA
TR 2:40 - 3:55
3 pts. This conversation class will help students develop their oral proficiency in Portuguese. We will discuss current events, participate in challenging pronunciation exercises, improve understanding of Portuguese idioms, develop conversation strengths, confront weaknesses, and increase fluency in spoken Portuguese.
PORT W3301x
Brazilian Portuguese Linguistics
Ana Paula Huback
MW 2:40 - 3:55
3 pts. This course will present the core concepts of linguistic theory and its application to the analysis of Brazilian Portuguese dialects. Significant exposure (mainly oral) to the most relevant Brazilian Portuguese dialects will be required. Songs, video clips, personal interviews and written materials will be analyzed to identify the most distinguishable traits of the Brazilian Portuguese dialects with regards to pronunciation, morphological and syntactic variation. The topics of language variation will be related to social values that communities place upon specific dialects. This interaction between culture and linguistics will be and important piece of evidence to show the roots of social discrimination based on how people speak. Students from this course will have a greater understanding of how to use the language considering the various aspects of the social interaction, e.g. who is being addressed, in which social role the impressions someone has about oneself and the person who is being addressed, the purpose of the communication (to convince, forge a friendship, complain, etc.), the media that will be used for the communication (written, spoken, and specific contexts).
As this course will focus on readings, discussions, and tasks, several grammar aspects of the Portuguese language will also be covered, according to the needs that students show in their assignments and oral conversations. Grammar will not be the main focus of this course, but it will be addressed as errors are diagnosed in the tasks the students have to perform.
PORT W3490x
Brazilian Society and Civilization
Marc Hertzman
MW 11:40 - 12:55
3pts. Each week, a historical period is studied in connection to a particular theme of ongoing cultural expression. While diverse elements of popular culture are included, fiction is privileged as a source of cultural commentary. Students are expected to assimilate the background information but are also encouraged to develop their own perspective and interest, whether in the social sciences, the humanities (including the fine arts), or other areas.