A nation of contrasts and colors, richness and poverty, diversity and
unity, in the year 2000 Brazil completed 500 years since first
colonized by Portugal.  This course aims to introduce you to
contemporary Brazilian life by focusing on four main interrelated
topics: history, geography, ethnographic accounts, and socio-cultural
interpretations. (Brazilian economy is presented as part of our
history and ethnographic readings)

The course is primarily based on lectures, readings and discussions
(essay books, articles, and ethnographic accounts), while
incorporating films, guest lectures, and a bit of music (as it
expresses the “soul” of the Brazilian people). I expect you to leave
this course with an understanding of landmark issues characterizing
Brazilian history and geography, the socio-cultural diversity and
daily life in contemporary Brazil, Brazilian history within the Latin
America context, and development problems affecting people and land.