Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies Academic Programs Page
The concentration in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies is the study of the Portuguese-speaking world, a large and diverse geographical and cultural area spread over five continents, including Brazil, Continental and Insular Portugal, Lusophone Africa and Luso-America, and inhabited by two hundred million people. Although students are encouraged to explore the global nature of the Portuguese-speaking world, their individual program will generally focus on one of the specific geographical areas mentioned above.
Using the Portuguese language as a basis, the concentration in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies allows students to develop their interests in the areas of language, literature, education, history and the social sciences. The concentration consists of eight interrelated courses to be selected by the student, in consultation with the Concentration Advisor, from the offerings in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies as well as in other departments, such as History, Political Science, Afro-American Studies, Anthropology and Sociology. At least four courses must be conducted in Portuguese. The prerequisite for the concentration is Portuguese 40 or the equivalent. Students may choose between two basic programs:
Candidacy for honors in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies assumes a better than average record, particularly in the concentration. Students interested in pursuing honors should make their intention known to the Concentration Advisor as early as possible. Candidates for honors are required to complete an honors thesis or other approved project.
In consultation with the Concentration Advisor and other pertinent faculty, a topic will be selected and a thesis advisor and second reader will be chosen. Candidates for honors will normally register for PB193/194 ("Research and Preparation of Honors Projects") in Semesters VII and VIII, but these independent study units may not be used to satisfy the minimum course requirement for the concentration.
No later than the third week of Semester VII, a candidate for honors will submit a proposal for approval by the thesis advisor and second reader. It is expected that the student will meet regularly with his/her advisor(s) throughout the semester. At the end of Semester VII a report on the project should be submitted in writing by the student, signed by the thesis advisor(s) and filed with the concentration advisor.
The project must be completed in time for the readers to evaluate it and for possible corrections to be made before a final copy is submitted. Therefore, for students completing requirements for graduation in Semester I, the project should be submitted by December 1. For students completing requirements for graduation in Semester II, the project should be submitted by April 22. An oral presentation/defense of the project will follow.
A final copy prepared according to a format approved by the Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies should be submitted by January 10 for students completing requirements in Semester I and by May 10 for students completing requirements in Semester II.
Honors candidates are encouraged to examine the copies of past honors projects on file at the Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies.
Here are the titles of the honors projects since 1986.
Each year one or two senior concentrators are recommended for a special prize at graduation. This award recognizes outstanding academic achievement in the Portuguese and Brazilian Studies concentration. In 1995 the award was renamed in memory of Karina Palmira Lago'95, an outstanding student and exemplary human being, who passed away on November 6, 1995. The prize was endowed in December, 1997 by a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Small' 63, P' 97.
Portuguese and Brazilian Studies concentrators have also competed favorably for national fellowships and university-wide honors. Among recent graduates, Ianna Raim'87 was awarded a Rotary Fellowship; Jacob C. Miller, Adjoa F. Jones de Almeida'95, Lissett Ferreira'99, Elizabeth Matos'99, Lucia Duncan'99 and Eric Noble'05 were awarded Fulbright Scholarships. Karina P. Lago'95 was awarded an Emery Fellowship. Leigh H. Scott'97 was awarded a Howard Swearer Fellowship. Ianna Raim'87, Joshua Sens'89, Cara S. Joseph'92, Grace E. Mitchell'93, Katarzyna S. Stanclik'93, Alejna M. Brugos'94, Benjamin D. Goodman'94, Kristen M. Jackson'94, Vicki A. Mayer'94, Adjoa F. Jones de Almeida'95, Karina P. Lago'95, Martin S. Small'97, Daniel Perlin'97.5, Monica Teixeira de Souza'98, Adele E. Nelson'99, Kea E. Schwiebert'99, Rebecca R. Cohen'02, Robert P. Newcomb'02, Karina D. Satlman'02, Beatriz F. Arantes'03 and Patrick Browne'04 were elected to Phi Beta Kappa. A large number of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies concentrators have graduated "magna cum laude."
Students planning to apply for fellowships should make their intention known to the Concentration Advisor as early as possible to avoid missing deadlines.
This program is intended to articulate undergraduate and graduate work, but academic requirements for each degree must be separately met. Students must apply to study in the integrated program no later than the third week of semester VII.
As many as two courses taken by a student during undergraduate studies may be offered in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master's degree. At least six semester course units must be taken as a graduate student. A final project is also required.
For further information contact Professors Nelson H. Vieira or Luiz F. Valente.
Department of Portuguese and Brazilian
Studies Academic Programs Page