Prospectus

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Global Crossings: Brazil and Cultural Dialogues in the Portuguese-Speaking World

Course
2016-2017

Admission requirements

Students who speak Portuguese and want to follow this course as an optional course: please contact tutor.

Description

This course examines the cultural dialogues and intersections of Brazil in global perspective, with a particular focus on Portuguese-speaking Africa and Asia. The course will discuss key cultural concepts and a variety of texts and genres (written and filmic) as it explores a fascinating history of cultural exchange. Topics covered might include: the Atlantic as a space of memory and resistance, culture as resistance in colonial and postcolonial contexts; cultural representations of slavery and its aftermath; writing and orality; migration and diaspora; the influence of Brazilian modernism in Africa; transatlantic dialogues in contemporary Mozambican cinema.

Course objectives

  • Gain an understanding of key historical and contemporary connections of Brazil in transnational perspective, with particular attention to Portuguese-speaking Africa and Asia;

  • Study of some key authors and texts in the development of Lusophone African national canons and connections with Brazilian culture;

  • Develop critical and analytical skills through close textual analysis of literary and filmic texts;

  • Familiarize students with cultural theories, literary/film criticism and theoretical frameworks which help illuminate the texts at hand;

  • Spoken and written presentation skills;

  • Development of critical and analytical skills (oral and written);

  • Communication and presentation skills (oral and written);

  • Research skills.

Timetable

Timetable LAS

Mode of instruction

  • Lecture

  • Seminar

Course Load

  • Total course of 5 EC is 140 hours.

  • Hours spent on attending lectures: 2 hours per week x 13 weeks = 26 hrs;

  • Time for studying the compulsory literature/view films/material online: 70 hours;

  • Time for completing assignments or preparation classes: 10 hours;

  • Time to write essays (incl.preparation/research): 34 hours.

Assessment method

  • 2 essay compositions, one of which to be submitted at the end of the course (approx. 1200-1500 and 2200-2500 words respectively);

  • Class presentation.

Major students are oblidged to complete the assignments in Portuguese. Other students can do their assignments in English.

Weighing

First essay 35% of mark, 2nd essay 40%, plus class presentation weighted at 25% of final mark.

The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average.

Resit

Essay submission (relevant component).

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for:

  • providing study materials

Reading list

Reading list will be made available to students in due course.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.

General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable

Contact

For questions about the content of the course, you can contact the teacher:
Dr Sara Brandellero

Coordinator of Studies: M.A.G. van Leeuwen MA

Administrations Office: van Wijkplaats

Remarks

Minimum attendance requirement to complete the module: 70% attendance.