Understanding Contemporary Brazil: History, Culture, and Politics
Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Brasilia, and Minas Gerais
May 26 - June 15, 2008
This study-abroad course will provide a first-hand experience in four critical sites for understanding the development of Brazil —one of the world’s emerging powers— from colonial times until today. We will spend over a week in Rio de Janeiro visiting major cultural institutions and historic areas throughout the city and the state of Rio, as well as scenic locations of unparalleled natural beauty. We will also meet with Brazilian college students, learn to dance samba, and visit a low-income urban community to meet with members of NGOs and learn about their efforts to improve living conditions. The following week will be spent in Salvador, Bahia —the first capital of Brazil. There, we will experience one of the most African cities on the American continent where we will learn about history, music, dance, religion, martial arts, and gastronomy. Additionally, we will visit former slave plantations away from the city as well as Afro-Brazilian cultural organizations in the heart of Salvador. In Brasilia, the nation’s capital, we will explore one of the world’s modern architectural marvels while visiting key political institutions such as Congress, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Central Bank. In the state of Minas Gerais we will visit the main historical towns that emerged during the Brazilian eighteenth-century “gold boom,” such as Ouro Preto, one of the most spectacular colonial cities in the Western Hemisphere. There, we will not only learn about this fascinating historical period but also acquaint ourselves with the Brazilian baroque in its intricate artistic and architectural dimensions. Throughout the trip, guided tours will be accompanied by several lectures and students will keep a journal of their activities through regular entries. Before departure students will be asked to do several readings and film viewings.
Enrollment Requirements
Must be a student in good standing with the University of Minnesota.
Cost
Estimated cost of $4500: Includes 3 credits tuition, flight, housing, ground transportation, breakfast daily, and several dinners.
Financial Aid: University of Minnesota students may use their financial aid for study abroad programs. Non-University of Minnesota students may use financial aid from their home institutions, based on the rules of their home institutions.
Scholarships
ESC Scholarships: Additionally, a minimum of 4 $1,000 scholarships will be made available to students participating in this course from the European Studies Consortium (ESC). These scholarships are for students who intend to take Portuguese in fall 2008.
Submit scholarship application with your application to study abroad.
ESC Language Scholarship Application Form
CLA Support: The cost of this course has been kept low by direct financial support from the College of Liberal Arts. Without their support this course would cost on average an additional $400/student.
About the Faculty Director
Fernando Arenas is Associate Professor of Lusophone African, Brazilian, and Portuguese Studies. He has published extensively on Portuguese-speaking cultures and has taught many courses on Brazil (including literature, film, popular music, history, critical thought, and politics). He has been a visiting professor at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (Rio de Janeiro) and has been to Brazil numerous times. Fernando is a multi-lingual, experienced world traveller.
Application
Application Information and Form (PDF)
Deadline
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 8, 2008!
Students are encouraged to apply early. Enrollment is limited to 15 students and based on a first-come first-serve basis for Freshmen, Sophmores, and Juniors. Seniors will be allowed to enroll on a space availability basis, with priority enrollment allotted to students enrolled in Professor Arenas's Freshman Seminar "Brazil: Land of the Future, Postponed."
Questions regarding enrollment should be directed to esc@umn.edu.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Date |
Financial Liability |
| January 1 – February 22, 2008 | $50 |
| February 23 – March 23, 2008 | $250 |
| March 24 – April 7, 2008 | 50% of Program Cost |
| April 8 – May 8, 2008 | Only recoverable expenses (may be the entire program fee) |
| After May 8, 2008 | No Refund |
Financial Planning
All bills will be processed via the University of Minnesota student account.
Amount |
Billed |
Payment Due |
| $450 deposit | January 28, 2008 | Average of three weeks from bill date |
| Balance of Program Fee | June 14, 2008 | July 9, 2008 |