SAMPLE SYLLABUS

SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Included below is a syllabus I developed for a survey course I would welcome the
opportunity to teach. It is organized thematically and chronologically.
Introduction to Brazilian Literature
Instrutor: Isadora Grevan de Carvalho
Office hours: MW 2-3
Email: Isadora_grevandecarvalho@brown.edu
159 George Street level 3
phone number:
Description:
This is an introduction to the study of Brazilian literature from the 19th century to the present day. It
takes a critical look at the ways literary movements have contributed to the discussions
surrounding the formation of the Brazilian nation. It attempts to take a closer look at race and
gender issues so integral to national “identity” paradigms, spanning a variety of literary genres such
as poems, plays, short stories, novels as well as literary and social criticism. Readings are
complemented with a variety of films, performances and images. This course can be taught in
Portuguese or in English. Pre-requisite: no prior knowledge of Brazilian literature is required.
Main Topics:
Brazilian Nation and Identity
Race Relations
Patriarchy
Gender Issues
Goals:
-To offer students a panoramic view of Brazilian literature and culture through the study of major
themes and concerns within a historical and cultural context.
-To develop critical and creative thinking skills through close readings, and a variety of writing and
speaking exercises covering a vast array of texts in the Portuguese language.
-To help students de-construct certain texts and myths perpetuated by writers and intellectuals
concerning national identity.
Materials:
-Course Packet and films available at …..and on mycourses.brown.edu
-Required Books to buy available at the bookstore and on reserve at the library:
São Bernardo by Graciliano Ramos
Sempreviva by Antonio Callado
A Hora da Estrela by Clarice Lispector
Parque Industrial by Patrícia Galvão
Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis
Recordações do Escrivão Isaías Caminha by Lima Barreto
Macunaíma by Mario de Andrade
O Sortilegio da Cor by Elisa Larkin do Nascimento
-Students will also receive a detailed description of the issues up for discussion every week via
email including questions to be reflected upon before class.
Course Requirements:
-This is a seminar type course requiring the full participation of all the students. It is important for
students to keep up with all the readings and be prepared to discuss them in class.
-Attendance and punctuality are extremely important.
-We expect all assignments to be handed in on time. If not, each day that goes by after the
deadline, it will accrue a half point deduction.
-Group presentations will be assigned throughout the semester.
Response papers are due (specific dates)
Response papers are 2-3 pages reflections upon a topic or question related to the material read
and discussed in that period. Topics will be given one week before they are due.
Final paper is due (specific date)
The final paper should be between 8 to 10 pages following MLA style guidelines for writing papers.
Topics will be presented by each student in class and can also be elaborated and discussed during
office hours.
Response Papers (total of 3) - 30%
Final Paper (6-8pg)-25%
Final Creative Project -15%
In Class presentations – 15%
Participation and Attendance – 15%
Schedule
Week 1
Introduction to the course.
Brief historical overview of Brazil’s independence; old pictures of Rio de Janeiro, maps
of Brazil.
“What makes Brazil, Brazil?”
Von Martius, excerpts from Emilia Viotti da Costa’s The Brazilian Empire: Myths and
History
Week 2
Problematics of the national image.
Excerpts from José de Alencar’s Iracema. Article by Luiz Fernando Valente.
*Theme for response paper presented.
Realism: discourse of race, gender and the nation.
Lima Barreto’s Recordações do Escrivão Isaías Caminha, excerpts from Thomas
Skidmore’s Black into White
Week 3
Realism II: Machado de Assis.
D.Casmurro
*Response paper I due and Student Survey.
Machado de Assis.
Articles about Machado de Assis; Brazilian society and the debates about betrayal in
the novel D. Casmurro
Week 4
Modernism.
Mario de Andrade Macunaíma (book and movie), article : “O Entre-lugar do Discurso
Latino-Americano”.
cont. Macunaíma.
Week 5
Regionalist Movement and The Patriarchal Family Model
Excerpts from Os Sertões, poems by João Cabral de Mello Neto.
Guimarães Rosa’s Tutaméia.
Week 6
Graciliano Ramos’ São Bernardo and excerpts from Freyre
Cont. São Bernardo and excerpts from Sergio Buarque de Hollanda’s Raízes do
Brasil.
Week 8
Gender Issues
Pagu’s Parque Industrial
Excerpts from Fitz and Paine’s Ambiguity and Gender…..
Parque Industrial
Quinlan and Heloisa Buarque de Hollanda’s articles on Brazilian women writers.
*Theme for response paper presented.
Week 9
Clarice Lispector.
A Hora da Estrela. Interview with Lispector, movie, articles.
*Response Paper II due.
Cont. Lispector
Week 10
Modernization of Brazilian Theatre.
Nelson Rodrigues
Nelson Rodrigues.
The Black Experimental Theatre. Films.
*Theme for response paper presented.
Week 11
Questioning the Myth of Racial Democracy: Abdias do Nascimento.
Sortilege and The Sorcery of Color.
*Response Paper III due.
Afro Brazilian contemporary perspectives.
Paulo Colina and Oswaldo Camargo
Week 12
Dictatorship and Repression.
Antonio Callado’s Sempre Viva (pages 1-150)
cont. of Sempre Viva.
Film Simonal
Week 13
Tropicalia Movement.
Excerpts from Chris’s Dunn’s book. Videos, audio etc.
Students’ performances
“Marginal” Poetry.
Poems by Chacall, Ana Christina Cesar, Paulo Leminski and others. Heloisa Buarque
de Hollanda online articles.
*Proposal for final paper due and discussed in class.
Day…….: *Final Paper Due (8-10pp)