POR 322 : The Portuguese Language in the World: An Introduction to the Lusofonia
This course is a general overview of the Portuguese language in the world: the birth of the Portuguese idiom, the evolution of the language throughout the centuries, and its place in today's society. The instruction focuses on the following basic aspects of the language: the study of the diversity of the communities that speak the language in today's world, which include Portugal (mainland and the islands of The Azores and Madeira), Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Guine-Bissau, St. Tome e Principe, and East Timor, and the interpretation of the chronology of this romance language as an organized linguistic system. Special attention is given to the Portuguese language in immigrant communities. Texts used to study the language include fiction, poetry, critical essays, and audio-visual materials (films, CDs). Prerequisite: POR 321 or permission of the instructor. Three lecture hours per week.
Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Human Expression.
Course Outcomes
- Develop the ability to identify the various communities of Portuguese speakers in the world.
- Recognize some important differences between classic and contemporary Portuguese.
- Appreciate the importance of other languages in the formation of the Portuguese language.
- Recognize specific themes and motifs of the periods of Portuguese literature.
- Connect some of their own life experiences with the Portuguese immigrant literature.
- Develop a better understanding of literary text written in Portuguese.