BA Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies

Running parallel with the core course unit SPLA10130 Introduction to the Cultures of the Lusophone World, this is a hands-on course which will enable students to improve their reading abilities in Portuguese, whilst deepening their appreciation and understanding of literary texts and of social issues in the Lusophone world.  Through a combination of small-group discussions, individual tutorials and private study, students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake close readings of texts (chosen from a prescribed list) and to write analyses of them that situate them in their social-political context. The discussions will focus on a range of tutor-led and student-led activities designed to develop an understanding of literature in Portuguese and also methods of analysing and discussing that literature. 

Core course unit for Level 1 for post-A level Portuguese students, or students on certain programme combinations. 

• To develop critical thinking, conceptual reasoning and analytical skills 
• To develop the ability to read and analyse literary texts 
• To develop the ability to place literary texts in social and political context 
• To develop a better understanding of the historical and social realities of the Lusophone world 
• To develop a better understanding of literary texts in Portuguese  

Having satisfactorily completed this course unit, students will be able to: 

• demonstrate an improved ability to read in Portuguese 
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of literary texts in Portuguese 
• write commentaries and essays in English discussing and analysing literary texts in Portuguese 
• place literary texts in their historical context within the Lusophone world 
• engage critically with secondary literature and write a literature review 

Having satisfactory completed this course unit, students will: 

• Display cultural analytical skills (literary analysis, social and political analysis) 
• Be able to value knowledge for its own sake, and to appreciate literary creativity within the Lusophone world

Having satisfactory completed this course unit, students will demonstrate: 

• A significantly improved ability to read Portuguese 
• A significantly improved vocabulary and syntax in Portuguese 
• An ability to manage time, and work to deadlines; 
• An improved ability to work with information and communication technology (ICT) 

Having satisfactorily completed this course unit, students will have learned to: 

• undertake independent learning and reflect upon their achievements; 
• participate constructively in group discussions; 
• think critically and present arguments logically 

Resit Assessment

David Birmingham, A Concise History of Portugal (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993). HD. 

Marion Kaplan, The Portuguese. The Land and its People (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1991). HD. 

Boris Fausto, A Concise History of Brazil (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1999).  HD 

Leslie Bethell, Colonial Brazil (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1987).  HD 

Leslie Bethell, “The Independence of Brazil”, Cambridge History of Latin America, vol 3, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984): 157-196