Topics in Advanced Portuguese (303-0-1)

Topic

The Portuguese-Speaking World, Language, Culture,

Instructors

Ana Thome Williams
847/467-1052
3-552 Kresge

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

The Portuguese-Speaking World: Language, Culture, and Identity

This advanced Portuguese course explores the diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world through language, literature, journalism, film, music, and contemporary media. Students examine how cultural identities are constructed, expressed, and transformed across different societies, while strengthening their Portuguese language proficiency and intercultural communication skills.

Through the analysis of authentic texts and audiovisual materials, students investigate historical experiences, cultural practices, social issues, and the different ways people represent themselves and their communities. The course encourages students to compare perspectives, question assumptions, and develop informed interpretations of cultural products and social realities.

Students will engage in discussions, debates, oral presentations, analytical writing, and creative multimedia projects, using Portuguese as the primary language of communication.

Prerequisite: PORT 202-0 or equivalent.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Communicate with greater accuracy, fluency, and sophistication in spoken and written Portuguese.
2. Analyze authentic literary, journalistic, and audiovisual texts in Portuguese.
3. Explain how language, culture, history, and social context shape identity.
4. Compare perspectives across Portuguese-speaking societies without treating them as culturally uniform.
5. Develop and defend interpretations and arguments using evidence from texts and media.
6. Produce analytical writing, oral presentations, and creative multimedia projects in Portuguese.

Class Materials (Required)

Course materials provided by the instructor or on Canvas.

Class Attributes

SoC Additional Distro

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: PORT 202-0 or equivalent.