Unit information: Key Moments in Lusophone History and Culture in 2014/15

Unit name	Key Moments in Lusophone History and Culture
Unit code	HISP10009
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Atkin
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	HISP10307, HISP10302
School/department	Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to introduce students to the history, literatures and cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world through the study of texts relating to key historical moments, such as: early colonialism and the discovery of Brazil; slavery; expansion into Africa and the 1890 Ultimatum; Republicanism; dictatorship and revolution, decolonisation, race relations, postcolonialism and contemporary Lusophone identities. There will be a focus on the development of analytical and critical thinking skills, and students will be exposed to the plurality and diversity of the Lusophone world. By the end of the year, students will also have developed their skills in reading in Portuguese. The unit will equip students with a solid knowledge base in Lusophone studies, and it will facilitate the development of academic skills, enabling students to progress successfully through the BA programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• develop their knowledge of key moments in the history of the Portuguese-speaking world;
• develop their understanding of how these moments have affected subsequent cultural production;
• learn to read and interpret a range of texts (historical, literary, visual, academic), in English and in Portuguese;
• develop their skills in critical thinking and academic writing in preparation for progression through the degree programme.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be informal lectures / large-group seminar discussions.

Assessment Information

Online assessment task (20%) – this part of the assessment will test students’ knowledge and understanding of key facts relating to the historical periods studied. It will take place in TB1. Students will be able to access their results instantly, and thus the assessment will have a formative as well as summative function.

1 X learning portfolio of 2500 words (80%) – the portfolio will include short critical commentaries on the texts studied, and a short essay option. Students will have the opportunity to submit a portfolio plan and one piece of work for informal, formative feedback during the course. The full portfolio will be submitted at the end of TB2.

Reading and References

• David Birmingham, A Concise History of Portugal, 2nd edn
• Boris Fausto, A Concise History of Brazil
• Malyn Newitt, Portugal in Africa: the last hundred years
• Boaventura de Sousa Santos, ‘Between Prospero and Caliban: Colonialism, Post-*Colonialism and Inter-Identity’ – to be supplied on Blackboard

In addition to these titles, further sources and cultural texts will be made available to students on Blackboard and through the library.