Culture and Society in Brazil, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa (Autumn)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC1108 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 1 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- MLAC1108
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
The Portuguese-speaking world is made up of people on four different continents; Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, and there are eight countries in which Portuguese remains the official language. The spread of the language is a representation of the reach of the Portuguese Empire at its height as well as a reflection of the legacy of Lusophone cultures. This module provides students with the opportunity to learn about the diversity of cultural practices and social relations in the different parts of the world where Portuguese is spoken. The module covers the major social and cultural practices from modern Lusophone societies, including aspects of popular culture such as football and soap operas, but also cultural and artistic currents in literature and film. Questions of social relations and identity are also examined through themes of conflict, crisis and revolution through formations of political identity and political mobilisation.
Target Students
Only available for Modern Languages and Business (R9N1) and Exchange students. Not available to students who are taking MLAC1104 or MLAC1111.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
FOR REGISTRATION BY MLB (R9N1) AND MOBILITY STUDENTS ONLY. NOT TO BE TIMETABLED. ONE SEMESTER OF OTHER MODULE MLAC1104.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: 1 x 1500 coursework essay end of Autumn semester
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with a knowledge of the modern cultural currents in Portuguese-speaking cultures and societies. The module fosters an awareness of the main social and political processes at work in which these societies and cultures emerged; the module develops student understanding of the complexities and challenges of present-day Lusophone societies and cultures.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
Students will (A2) acquire an in-depth awareness of the cultural, historical and political contexts appropriate to the Lusophone culture addressed, (A3) develop an appreciation of the relationship between their own cultural, historical and social backgrounds and those of those aspects of the Lusophone worlds to which they are exposed; (A4) handle with assurance a range of critical and analytical stratagems and tools in their approach to these areas.
2. Intellectual Skills
Students are given the tools with which to (B1) engage in informed discussion of historical material, archive texts and/or other cultural/sociological documentation from Lusophone culture; (B2) demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical and socio-political contexts of Lusophone culture; (B4) deploy effectively a range of critical stratagems and approaches in their analytical work.
3. Professional/practical skills
The training offered in this module allows students to (C3) undertake relevant research and construct a reasoned argument on a topic/issue in English either orally or in writing.
4. Transferable/key skills
Students are provided with the training to be able to demonstrate (D3) the ability to construct and defend a coherent and well-researched argument in English; (D4) appropriate preparation skills in relation to written documents, oral presentation, illustrations and handouts and the delivery of oral presentations; (D5) sufficient cross-cultural understanding to be able to negotiate effectively between cultures, particularly Lusophone cultures and their own culture of origin; (D6) general research skills; (D7) time-management, prioritising and general organisational skills.