Portuguese i

Classes: 4 sessions / week, 1 hour / session

Klobucka, A., C. de Jouët-Pastré, et al. Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language. 1st ed. Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 9780131894051.

———. Brazilian Activities Manual for Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language. 1st ed. Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 9780131894082.

———. Answer Key to Student Activities Manual for Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language. 1st ed. Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 9780132393461.

Whitlam, J., V. Davies, and M. Harland. Harper Collins Portuguese Dictionary: English, Portuguese Portuguese, English. Harpercollins, 1997. ISBN: 9780062734891.

Nitti, John J., and Michael Ferreira. 501 Portuguese Verbs. Barron's Educational Series, 1995. ISBN: 9780812090345.

Whitlam, John. Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar: A Practical Guide. Routledge, 2010. ISBN: 9780415566438.

Portuguese I is an introduction to Portuguese for students with little or no previous knowledge of the language. All the basic grammar is covered, divided into Portuguese I and II. Basic vocabulary is also presented. Our main goal is communication in Portuguese, with special emphasis on speaking in the first semester and greater attention to reading and writing in the second, but all the other skills are also practiced. Students will also be introduced to the cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world through readings of authentic materials, including brief dialogues, music and video. The class is conducted in Portuguese, with occasional resort to English for clarity purposes.

Please see the Assignments page for an overview of the topics covered in each class session over the semester.

Grading is based on frequent relatively small evaluations rather than on one or two major hurdles:

1. Class Attendance and Participation: (20%)

Your presence and active participation are essential in each and every session. This will be the most significant part of your grade since it is through continuous class interaction with other students that your communicative abilities in Portuguese will develop and improve. Your grade will be determined daily by the quality and quantity of your preparation and participation in class discussions, activities, group work, etc.

As your progress, and that of the class as a whole, will be impeded by excessive absences, your presence in the classroom is imperative. If you must miss a class, there is no excuse for not being prepared for the next one. If you have to be absent, please contact the instructor in advance to find out what material you will miss. Each absence without an official excuse will lower your course attendance and participation grade. Any student who has accumulated more than three absences without an official excuse must see the instructor. Further absences after the warning will affect your final grade.

2. Homework and Written Work: (20%)

Students are expected to prepare the assigned materials for each class and complete the written work as stipulated in the syllabus. These assignments include:

3. Exams: (40%)

4 in-class tests.

4. Oral Presentation: (20%)

In addition to the written quizzes, students will make a 10-minute oral presentation in front of the class. Students may talk about a place where Portuguese is spoken or a historically or culturally significant figure in the Lusophone world. Alternatively, they can choose to talk about a personal trip. There will also be an individual oral test in the form of a 5-minute interview (entrevista) with the instructor.

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