Dates: June 25 - July 28, 2010 (tentative)
Co-Leaders: Prof. Simone Elias and Prof. Thomas Vicino
Course Description:
The "Brazil in the 21st Century: Portuguese Language, Globalization, and Sustainability" is a 4-week, faculty-led program offering students immersion into one of the world's most dynamic, diverse, and growing populations. The program will be hosted by the well-respected Brazilian American Cultural Association of Bahia (ACBEU), located in Brazil's third largest city of Salvador. Students will participate in two classes at ACBEU's centrally located campus, which provides quick access to many historical and cultural points of the city. The cultural immersion is furthered through home stays with selected, pre-screened local families in surrounding neighborhoods of Salvador. The academic program will be complemented by numerous guided excursions, lectures, and field visits with local academics and cultural experts.
Today, Brazil is a land of contrasts. It is home to one of the world's largest multiethnic societies, yet it is one of the most segregated. While it is one of the world's largest democracies with over 190 million inhabitants, its political history is turbulent. The environmental landscape offers a vast array of diverse--yet vulnerable--ecosystems, but Brazil's cities and urban growth outpace most others in the world. These defining characteristics, including demographic shifts, economic transition, political change, and landscape transformation, will allow students to engage in a "dialogue" about global issues with other Brazilian students, cultures, families, businesses, and policymakers.
This program consists of two courses: a Portuguese language course (for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners) and a course on the globalization of Brazil that focuses on history, politics, economy, and culture. Both courses will be held in Salvador. The city is a cultural, historic and architectural jewel--it boasts the largest complex of majestic colonial buildings in the Americas built atop spectacular beachside cliffs. Its unique legacy earned the city a United Nations World Heritage Site designation. Salvador is a city that has a lot to offer: beautiful examples of colonial art and architecture; beaches; African culture; and a very active cultural life. No doubt an important part of its charm comes from the very strong African influence. Salvador�s Colonial City is the largest collection of Baroque architecture in Latin America. The program will culminate with a 4-day excursion to Foz do Iguacu to visit one of the world's largest waterfalls and hydroelectric power facilities. Students will examine the implications and challenges that urban growth and globalization present to sustainability for Brazilian society. At the end of the program, students will have had the opportunity of interacting and exchanging ideas with people from many diverse backgrounds, and thus gain exposure to a wide spectrum of Brazilian society and Brazil's place in the global community.
Students will participate in:
1) Portuguese Language Immersion (PORT 1302, 2301, 2302, 3301, 3302): This intensive immersion in Portuguese will focus on the communicative and humanistic approaches to use the language in situations simulating day-to-day life. The skills of listening, speaking, writing, and reading will be integrated in such a manner as to ensure communication. The aim is to enable the student to improve his/her communication skills in everyday situations, understand both spoken and written language, through systematic acquisition of the necessary grammar, and develop the ability to speak and use the language with confidence. Students will attend daily intensive language classes each weekday morning, which are supplemented by the linguistic and cultural immersion experience.
2) INTL 4938 DIALOGUE - This course will be taught by Northeastern faculty co-leaders. It will introduce students to the dimensions of globalization and its influences on the Brazil we know today. Students will learn about local and national history through an examination of social, political, economic, and environmental issues.
3) Cultural Field Sites: Visits to sites on different aspects of Brazilian culture, history, economy, environment, and politics will give students the opportunity to evaluate the influences, developments, and perspectives for a global Brazil. The language tool and the knowledge of globalization will set the context for this learning.
Course Credits: 8
Pre-requisites: The program is open to students of ANY major. One semester of Portuguese language is required. An interview with the faculty co-leaders is part of the application process.
Cost of Program: Summer tuition for 8 NU credits plus additional costs TBD.
Application Process: Download the dialogue of civilizations application and waiver form. Turn in two copies of each completed form and two copies of your unofficial transcript to the Office of International Study Programs in 10 BV.
Application Deadline: December 7, 2009
For more information: Contact Prof. Simone Elias at s.elias@neu.edu or Prof. Thomas Vicino at t.vicino@neu.edu or 617-373-2619.
Disclaimer: Some information posted here is tentative and subject to change based on costs and dates of available flights. The website is updated as current information becomes available.
