POR2001 : Cultures and Societies of the Portuguese-Speaking World
POR2001 : Cultures and Societies of the Portuguese-Speaking World
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Fernando Beleza Pinto
- Lecturer: Dr Conceicao Pereira, Ms Loiana Leal Pavlichenko
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
This module is open to any student at Newcastle University
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
In consonance with the overall aim of the degree offered in the School of Modern Languages, the general aim of this module is to introduce students to the cultures and societies of Brazil, Portugal, and Lusophone Africa, as well as to key contemporary debates that allow for a complex understanding of the Portuguese-speaking world.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module provides an introduction to the cultural production and societies of the Portuguese-speaking world. Students will learn about the cultures and societies of Brazil, Portugal, and Portuguese-speaking Africa through modern and contemporary film, music, literature, and the visual arts. This module will also introduce students to key current debates relating to the Portuguese-speaking world, as well as to some of its most relevant cultural figures.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
- Recognize important cultural, historical, ideological, ethnic, socio-political, and geographical factors that contribute to shape contemporary Lusophone cultures.
- Identify and recall a number of key cultural debates within and about the Portuguese-speaking world.
- Show evidence of familiarity with key cultural developments in several countries of the Portuguese-speaking world from the early-twentieth century onwards.
- Manifest awareness of their own (political, historical, geographical, social) position in relation to the course content and dominant images about the Portuguese-speaking world.
Intended Skill Outcomes
- Taking notes effectively from lecture recordings and seminars.
- The close reading of literary and non-literary texts.
- Thinking critically about issues related to culture, power, and society.
- Group work.
- Familiarity with the University and online research resources.
- Presenting arguments in a convincing form.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Lecture materials and related activities. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Lectures (PiP) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 14 | 1:00 | 14:00 | Seminars (PiP). |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Drop-in/surgery on formative and summative assessment (PiP or synchronous online). |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 167:00 | 167:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and lecture materials (recordings, readings, commentary, etc.) will allow definition of the scope of the syllabus, an introduction to a body of knowledge, and modelling of the analysis required. The elements of blended learning that are included in the teaching activities showed to be very effective in the past, as they allow students time to reflect in their own time. Seminars will provide the students with the opportunity to discuss key texts and topics individually and in groups, and develop their independent thinking, critical analysis and debate. These sessions will develop students’ ability to apply concepts, debate, think comparatively, and produce arguments. All knowledge outcomes are addressed by the mix of lectures, lecture materials, and seminars. The module is taught in English and assessed in English.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 70 | 2500 words in English. |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 30 | 1000 words in English. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | A detailed essay plan in English (optional). |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module will be assessed in English. The mid-semester written exercise will require students to engage with key notions covered in the module and will test students’ understanding of modern and contemporary cultural developments in the Portuguese-speaking world. The final essay at the end of the semester will give students the opportunity to explore critically a topic studied in the module and to develop their research skills. It will also help students to develop analytical, critical, and organisational skills, as they will be asked to engage with argumentative thinking. The formative essay plan will prepare students to write their final essay. Students will be given general and individual feedback on the essay plans.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POR2001's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- POR2001's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.