Portuguese & Brazilian Studies

To develop these linguistic and cultural competencies, the Portuguese & Brazilian Studies program provides rigorous instruction in Portuguese language and grammar alongside courses exploring Brazilian culture, film, literature, and society. Students can further tailor their studies by selecting interdisciplinary courses in anthropology, art history, political science, and economics, deepening their knowledge of Brazil and Latin America. 

Specialized courses discover the diverse landscape of Brazil’s cultural productions ranging from Brasilidade (“Brazilianness”) to Brazilian cinema, music, and sci-fi literature. Such courses offer students insight into historical and social dimensions of the Portuguese language, key cultural themes that define Brazilian identity, and in-depth analysis of Brazilian culture and history through the lens of speculative fiction and film. Through small class sizes and close faculty mentorship, students engage in meaningful discussions and hands-on projects, such as ethnographic interviews with native speakers. 

Through this comprehensive approach, the minor prepares students for careers in international relations, global business, academia, and the arts, while deepening their appreciation of Brazil’s dynamic role in the Portuguese-speaking world and beyond.

 Upon graduation, the minor in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies can be paired with skills from your major degree program, allowing you to enter a number of fields. Communication, healthcare, or political science majors, for example, can use their foreign language skills to become translators, interpreters, advocates, and diplomats in local and international arenas. Business students will be equipped to pursue business ventures abroad, while education majors might consider ESL instruction careers.