Portuguese

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers an A.B. in Portuguese and a minor in Portuguese.

Major in Portuguese

Portuguese majors complete coursework in the literatures, cultures, and linguistics of the Lusophone world. Students begin at an appropriate level based on the placement examination given upon entrance to the program. Most Portuguese majors begin their study with Advanced Portuguese I, although some students with less preparation take Accelerated Portuguese, which means they must take one additional semester course in Portuguese to complete their major.

Requirements for A.B. in Portuguese

10 Portuguese courses (minimum, placement may require additional language study) consisting of:

  1. PORT 2101 (Advanced Portuguese) and PORT 2199 (Cultures of the Portuguese-Speaking World)
  2. 1 of the following 2 courses: PORT 2151 (Advanced Conversation) or PORT 2171 (Advanced Portuguese for Business)
  3. 7 electives, 6 of which must be at the 3000-4000 level

Major electives must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Note: Native or heritage speakers of Portuguese, transfer students, or students who have placed out of language classes should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the major approval. Students who place out of the Portuguese language requirement may substitute courses at the 3000 level or above in order to complete the major.

Integrated Writing Requirement

Writing is an integral part of each of the three majors offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese (Spanish, Portuguese, and Spanish and Portuguese Studies) and central to all levels of study in our course offerings. Beyond demonstrating linguistic competence and cultural literacy, the Department views writing as an essential tool for the development of critical thinking and its expression. Importantly, learning to write well in Spanish and/or Portuguese develops skills that are transferable to many post-college careers.

Overseas Studies

Portuguese majors are required to study abroad in Brazil or Portugal for a semester or, ideally, for an academic year. Although Advanced Portuguese I is the minimum required course, it is highly recommended that students complete Cultures of the Portuguese-Speaking World (PORT 2199) before enrolling in a study-abroad program. Students must obtain the approval of the Director of the Portuguese Studies for their courses before going overseas.

Students participating in overseas study may take courses in Luso-Brazilian Art, Portuguese Linguistics, Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, and other appropriate related areas. These courses can be used to fulfill upper division Portuguese Studies requirements. A maximum of two courses per semester taken abroad can be counted toward the major, provided the courses are taught in Portuguese and deal with any of the countries of the Lusophone world. One of these can be a program course reserved for foreign students in general or American students in particular. Students must obtain the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for their courses before going overseas; failure to do so may result in the student not receiving credit for those courses. Upon returning, students may be required to show the syllabi and coursework of courses taken abroad to the Director of Portuguese Studies in order to receive credit. No credit is given to majors or minors for Portuguese language courses taken abroad in Lusophone-speaking countries. No credit will be given for courses taken in non-Portuguese-speaking countries. (See the Study Abroad section of this Bulletin.)

Minor in Portuguese

Students in other majors are invited to minor in Portuguese. Six semester courses are required as set forth below. Students who begin at the Advanced level or higher will take other courses above 3000 to reach a total of six.

At least four courses must be taken on the Georgetown campus.

  1. PORT 2101 (Advanced Portuguese)
  2. PORT 2199 (Cultures of the Portuguese-Speaking World)
  3. 1 of the following courses: PORT 2151  (Advanced Conversation) or PORT 2171 (Advanced Portuguese for Business)
  4. 3 courses at the 3000-level or above in literature, culture or linguistics, one of which must be numbered 4000 or above.

A maximum of one course taught in English in the department can count towards the minor. If the course is taught in English or cross-listed with another department, Portuguese minors are required to do all written work in Portuguese. Courses taken abroad can be used to fulfill 3000-level elective Portuguese requirements, provided they are taught in Portuguese and deal with any countries of the Lusophone world.

Note: Native or heritage speakers of Portuguese, transfer students, or students who have placed out of lower-level Portuguese language classes should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the minor approval.

Overseas Study (Minors)

Portuguese minors are encouraged to study abroad. Although Advanced Portuguese I is the minimum required course, it is highly recommended that students complete Cultures of the Portuguese-Speaking World (PORT 2199) before enrolling in a study-abroad program. Students must get the approval of the Director of the Portuguese Studies for their courses before going overseas.

Students participating in overseas study may take courses in Luso-Brazilian Art, Portuguese Linguistics, Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, and other appropriate related areas, provided the courses are taught in Portuguese and deal with any of the countries of the Lusophone world. One of these can be a program course reserved for foreign students in general or American students in particular. Students must obtain the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for their courses before going overseas; failure to do so may result in the student not receiving credit for those courses. Upon returning, students may be required to show the syllabi and coursework of courses taken abroad to the Director of the Portuguese Studies in order to receive credit. These courses can be used to fulfill upper division Portuguese Studies requirements. A maximum of one course per semester taken abroad can be counted toward the minor. No credit is given to majors or minors for Portuguese language courses taken abroad in Lusophone-speaking countries. No credit will be given for courses taken in non-Portuguese-speaking countries.

Latin American Studies Certificate and Certificate in European Studies

See the Latin American Studies Certificate section in the Bulletin.

See the European Studies Certificate section in the Bulletin.

Transfer/AP Credit

A maximum of four courses taken at other institutions may be transferred toward the major.

Students who study abroad may transfer credit for up to two courses per semester abroad, for a maximum of four total, to fulfill 3000-level elective requirements. Students may apply a maximum of two summer courses taken at other institutions in the United States or abroad toward the major. Summer courses taken abroad can be used to fulfill 3000-level elective requirements.

A maximum of one course taken at another institution may be transferred to the minor.

Transfer students and students who study abroad must have the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in order to receive credit for courses taken at another institution.

(For course listings for Portuguese see Schedule of Classes)