Unit information: Introduction to Literature and Culture in Portuguese in 2010/11

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Unit name Introduction to Literature and Culture in Portuguese
Unit code HISP11302
Credit points 20
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Leu
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is taught in Teaching Block 2 only, and enables you to practise and enhance your reading and aural skills in Portuguese while analysing two collections of short stories and a film, all from different parts of the Portuguese-speaking world. The unit will be taught by one weekly lecture, plus a series of seminars that run through the Teaching Block. A schedule of lectues and seminars, a full Reading List, and a list of essay questions will be provided by the unit director at the beginning of the course.

Aims:

This unit will introduce students to selected texts from countries on 3 different continents in the Portuguese-speaking world. Students will analyse the literary and cinematic language of these short stories and the film in their socio-political contexts. The study of these texts will also allow students to practise reading and listening to Portuguese.

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • To introduce students to selected texts in Portuguese.
  • To study examples of cultural production from different parts of the Portuguese speaking world in their social contexts.
  • To enable students to practise their reading and aural skills in Portuguese.

Teaching Information

Lectures & seminars.

Assessment Information

1 x Essay 33.3%, 90 min Exam 66.6%

Reading and References

Key Reading:

  • Sophia de Melo Breyner Andresen, Contos exemplares
  • Luís Bernardo Honwana, Nós matámos o cão-tinhoso
  • Walter Salles, Central do Brasil (film)

References:

  • A Concise History of Portugal - David Birmingham
  • Voices from an Empire - Russell Hamilton
  • Modern Brazil - Kevin Neuhouser