Portuguese Society C1+

Recommended Prerequisites

N/a

Teaching Methods

We will read excerpts of works by several authors, but we will also critically use other information sources such as the press and Portuguese History and Geography textbooks. Some of the excerpts will be read aloud during the classes, and then discussed with the students. All doubts will be clarified, whether grammatical or lexical, and other teachers may be sometimes asked to join us.

Learning Outcomes

The main objective of this course is to enable students to become acquainted with Portuguese reality in different areas of daily life, as well as carrying out various activities of oral and written production, individually or in group, reflecting on Portuguese society.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The lectures will be organized according to the following topics, among others that may emerge from the discussions in class or from the bibliography (the actual sequence may be different from the one presented here)

1.             Democracy, Portuguese identity, national symbols, institutions

2.             Consumerism, environment and quality of life

3.             Education: the educational system at diferent levels

4.             Economy: electricity; water; forests; agriculture

5.             Landscapes: big cities vs intermediate towns and the interior of the country

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Adelaide de Sousa Chichorro Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment
Continuous assessment: regular participation in class and connected activities, homework assignments: 40.0%
Oral presentation of a short written text on a topic related to the issues addressed in class: 60.0%

Bibliography

Cardoso, Miguel Esteves, A causa das coisas. Assírio e Alvim.

Cardoso, Miguel Esteves (1ª ed. 2009), Em Portugal não se come mal. Assírio e Alvim.

Cardoso, José Luís / Magalhães, Pedro, Pais, José Machado (2013), Portugal Social de A a Z. Temas em aberto. Impresa Publishing / Expresso. Edição comemorativa dos 40 anos do Expresso.

Fonseca, Isabel (2007), Cozinha para nabos. Doçaria. Papiro editora.

Gil, José (2005, 1ª ed. 2004), Portugal hoje. O medo de existir. Relógio d’Água.

Hatton, Barry (2012, 7ª ed.), Os portugueses. A história moderna de Portugal. www.clube do autor.pt.

Lourenço, Eduardo (2011), Portugal como destino seguido de mitologia da saudade. Gradiva.

Ramos, Rui (coord.), História de Portugal. A esfera dos livros.

Rebecal, Pedro (2012), 100 datas que fizeram a história de Portugal. Tudo o que precisa de saber. Ed. Marcador.

Rebelo, Fernando (2013), Portugal. Geografia, paisagens e interdisciplinaridade. Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra.