What makes Brazil, Brazil?

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Brazil, the only Portuguese-speaking country, the largest nation and economy in South America, is a significant global power. This course introduces students to the history of Brazil since the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1500s to the present. It emphasizes key elements that distinguish Brazil from Spanish-speaking countries and the United States, while also highlighting the historical events that connect the country to the modern world, such as colonialism, the transition from enslavement to capitalism, and the challenges of democracy. In this course, students will also be introduced to the different regions of the country, to literature and to popular cultures (art, music, film, soccer), and to social movements that have shaped the history of the Brazilian nation. In addition to learning about the history of Brazil, students will also be introduced to some basic grammar and vocabulary of the Portuguese language. The course is offered in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, through the Office of Global Education. Students may enroll by application only. Visit studyabroad.georgetown.edu for more information.