Portuguese

The program stresses the language and culture of Brazil, with complementary study of Portugal and Lusophone Africa. Brazil alone has 200 million Portuguese speakers. Students pursuing careers related to Latin America will profit greatly from knowing the language. Florida does more than $2 billion worth of trade with Brazil annually.

Overview

Brazil plays increasingly prominent roles in international affairs. Brazilians constitute one of the fastest growing immigrant populations of Florida. Studying Portuguese, especially in conjunction with Spanish, will provide a competitive edge for those seeking careers in business, industry, tourism, health, agricultural affairs, government and education.

Coursework for the Major

The major consists of 30 credits of coursework normally achieved with ten upper-division courses (3240-level courses or above), four of which must be at the 4000 level. Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major. A minimum of four 4000-level courses must be completed at UF for the major residency requirement.

Foundation coursework required to prepare the student for 3000/4000-level depends on the student’s background in Portuguese. For true beginners, POR 1130/1131 or POR 3010 are typically taken to prepare for the required major coursework.

Required Coursework

• Ten 3000/4000-level POR / POW / PRT courses, with four courses at the 4000 level
• Students who transfer credits toward the Portuguese major will be expected to take at least four 4000-level courses at UF.

POR 3010 Introduction to Portuguese and Brazil is an accelerated course. It fulfills the foreign language requirement but it does not count as a 3000-level course for the major requirements.

Students can choose from listings under POR in language and civilization beyond POR 3010, POW in literature and culture, and PRT (Portuguese/Brazilian literature in translation). Two independent-study courses (4905) may be accepted as part of the major's requirements. Select courses outside the department may also count toward the major under special conditions.

Recommended Coursework

• ANT 4336 People of Brazil
• LAH 4630 Modern Brazil
• LAS 2001 Introduction to Latin American Studies
• LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics
• MUH 3541 Latin American Music
• Humanities, fine arts and social sciences courses that relate to the Portuguese-speaking world
• Additional course information

Overseas Study

The university sponsors a reasonably priced summer B program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Majors and minors are encouraged to participate at the 3000/4000 level; they receive six credits. The program fulfills the summer residency requirement. Students in approved overseas study programs can earn up to 15 credits that do not count as excess credits beyond the 120 credits required for graduation.

Placement

See the undergraduate coordinator for placement information, especially for transfer students and heritage speakers.

Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

Majors may want to pursue a certificate in Latin American Studies.

Research

Students who wish to complete a senior thesis for honors should consult Portuguese faculty at least two semesters in advance of graduation.

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete POR 1130
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete POR 1131 with 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete POR 3242 and one additional Portuguese course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

* POR 3010 may be offered fall, spring or summer A and satisfies the CLAS language requirement.
POR 3010 does not count as a 3000-level course for major or minor requirements.