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Module

POR2001 : Cultures and Societies of the Portuguese-Speaking World

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • 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: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

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.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture121:0012:00Lectures (PiP)
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials51:005:00Lecture materials and related activities.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching141:0014:00Seminars (PiP).
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00Drop-in/surgery on formative and summative assessment (PiP or synchronous online).
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1167:00167:00N/A
Total200:00
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.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M702500 words in English.
Written exercise1M301000 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
Essay1MA 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.

Reading Lists

Timetable