Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies Academic Programs Page
Study either in Brazil or in Portugal (usually in the junior year or during the summer) is strongly encouraged as an important part of the concentration. Up to four credits from participation in foreign-study programs can be applied towards the concentration in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies. Students should begin to prepare early for participation in such programs. Opportunities for foreign study include:
One of the original Brown-sponsored foreign study programs, the "Brown-in-Brazil Program" was established in 1984 and was located at the Federal University of Bahia until 1990. It was moved to Rio de Janeiro in the fall of 1991.
The "Brown-in-Brazil Program" is a semester of study at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RIO), the oldest private institution of higher learning in Brazil and one of the top five Brazilian universities. The program is designed for students who have the equivalent of at least three semesters of language instruction, preferably Portuguese 10 and Portuguese 19, plus at least one related course on Brazil in another discipline, such as Literature, History, Political Science, Afro-American Studies, etc. Portuguese 31 is particularly recommended.
The Brown-in-Brazil Program runs during the Brazilian second semester (August-December) and is preceded by a month-long, intensive orientation session in July. The orientation session includes instruction in Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, with four hours of scheduled classes every day, and additional lectures by various noted specialists three times a week. Field trips are planned for the weekends. At the end of the orientation session students take an examination on the material covered during the month.
During the semester Brown-in-Brazil students enroll in a maximum of four courses, to be chosen from the offerings of any unit of the university, provided that the appropriate prerequisites can be met. Upon completion of the semester program, students are issued an official transcript documenting their work at PUC. Normally students are able to transfer up to the equivalent of four Brown credits for participation in the full program (July-December).
A year-long option (July to June) was added to the Brown-in-Brazil Program beginning with the 1995-96 academic year. Students participating in the program for two semesters will receive up to eight Brown credits. Portuguese and Brazilian Studies concentrators should bear in mind, however, that no more than four courses taken at other institutions can be used to satisfy the minimum requirements for the concentration.
The deadline for applications to the Brown-in-Brazil Program is March 1.
For more information about the Brown-in-Brazil Program, please contact Professor Valente or visit the Office for International Programs.
Although Brown University has not established a program in Portugal, it is possible for students to spend an academic semester or the full academic year at the University of Lisbon. Since Brown University credit is not automatically granted for study in Portugal, students must petition the Committee on Academic Standing for permission to participate in this program and secure preliminary approval of courses prior to departure. Upon return, students must make a formal request to the Concentration Advisor to have transfer credit applied to the concentration. In planning for participation in this program students should keep in mind that no more than the equivalent of four Brown course credits can be used to fulfill the requirements of the concentration in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies. It is mandatory that students who participate in this program remain in close contact with a Brown faculty member throughout the academic semester/year.
For more information about the academic year at the University of Lisbon, please contact Professors Onésimo T. Almeida or Leonor Simas-Almeida.
Students interested in spending a summer studying Portuguese at the intermediate level or above in Brazil will be allowed to participate in the orientation portion of the Brown-in-Brazil Program at PUC-Rio (July 1-August 15). Students interested in studying Portuguese in Brazil at the beginning level are given the choice of programs in Rio de Janeiro (sponsored by the University of Florida) or Campinas (sponsored by Georgetown University). In some cases, students who complete such programs may qualify for one unassigned credit in Portuguese.
For more information about summer programs in Brazil, please contact Professor Luiz F. Valente.
Students interested in spending a summer in Portugal normally attend the Summer Program at the University of Lisbon. Students who complete this program may be granted one unassigned credit in Portuguese. Small grants from the Instituto Camões are generally available for participation in this program.
For more information about summer programs in Portugal, please contact Professors Onésimo T. Almeida or Leonor Simas-Almeida.
Department of Portuguese and Brazilian
Studies Academic Programs Page