Contemporary Brazil: Literature and Film (380-0-1)
Instructors
Marco Vinicio Carvajal Aldaz
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-430: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
Brazilian Cinema
This course will allow students to explore a series of critically acclaimed Brazilian films from the 1980s to the present. The films will be accompanied by theoretical and historical readings that provide a framework for their analysis, as well as fictional texts that will provide further context. We will discuss different topics regarding Brazilian culture, politics, urban violence, racism, dictatorship, and populism. In order to do so, we will first acquire a theoretical approach to discuss cinema. Our major concern will be the narrative strategies, ideological content, and the ethics of representation. Students will rely heavily on class discussion in a seminar format.
During the quarter, students will have to write three short papers in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. This course counts for the major or minor in Spanish or Portuguese. The class will be taught in English.
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire a critical understanding to discuss about cinema in an academic atmosphere.
Class Materials (Required)
- Reading materials will be available on Canvas and other websites.
-Movies will be available from online resources. It can be from the library at Northwestern, or from external links.
Class Notes
Note: This course may count toward the major or minor in Spanish.
Overview of class
The Brazilian Documentary Tradition
This course will explore selected themes and aesthetic trends in Brazilian literature and film (but mostly film) produced in the 21st century. We will be particularly interested in discussing how in the last two decades a number of Brazilian films have blurred the boundaries between fiction and documentary, with an increasing emphasis on social and historical issues. In order to do so, we will first study the development of realism in literature throughout the 20th century. Although we will pay some attention to film techniques, our major concern will be with narrative strategies, ideological content and the ethics of representation. Although there will inevitably be days in which I will lecture, we will rely heavily on class discussion in a seminar format. Students will have the opportunity to do their readings and write their papers in English or Portuguese.
Class Materials (Required)
Barren Lives, by Graciliano Ramos; The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector, ISBN-10: 0292701330
A selection of articles (CANVAS).
Class Notes
NOTE: THIS COURSE MAY COUNT FOR THE MAJOR OR MINOR IN SPANISH
Class Attributes
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area