PORT3501W

This course is the first half of a two-semester introduction to literatures and cultures in Portuguese taught from historical and nationally specific perspectives, from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Keeping in mind the cultural, social, and racial violence affecting BIPOC people around us, you will learn how cultural common senses of “others” originate in and are perpetuated by representations that are considered icons of nationality. For that end, this first semester of Global Portuguese is taught from a critical race feminist perspective that prompts you to question the colonialist, racist, classist, and sexist implications of certain stories and images. At the same time, you will be introduced to indigenous, black, and female voices of resistance and self-affirmation. All writing assignments and discussions are meant to encourage critical, plural thought about such topics as empire, globalization, slavery, colonialism, exclusion, displacement, and belonging. The course will be taught in Portuguese, and all the reading, writing, and speaking will be done in Portuguese. Assessments include essays and two exams as well as graded homework and class activities.

prereq: 3003