Portuguese
The program stresses the language and culture of Brazil, with complementary study of Portugal and Lusophone Africa. Brazil alone has 200 million Portuguese speakers. Students pursuing careers related to Latin America will profit greatly from knowing the language. Florida does more than $2 billion worth of trade with Brazil annually.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: www.spanishandportuguese.ufl.edu
Overview
Brazilians constitute one of the fastest growing immigrant populations of Florida. Studying Portuguese, especially in conjunction with Spanish, will provide a competitive edge for those seeking careers in business, industry, health, agricultural affairs, government and education.
Coursework for the Major
The major consists of 30 hours of coursework normally achieved with ten upper-division courses (3240-level courses or above), four of which must be at the 4000 level. Students must earn a grade of C or better for coursework to count toward the major. A minimum of four courses should be completed at UF for the major residency requirement.
Required Coursework
- POR 1130/1131 or POR 3010 (foreign language sequence) or equivalent
- Ten 3000/4000-level POR/POW/PRT courses, with four courses at the 4000 level
Transfer students must take four 4000-level courses at UF. POR 3010 Introduction to Portuguese and Brazil is an accelerated course that will fulfill the language requirement. POR 3010 does not count as a 3000-level course for the major requirements.
Students can choose from listings under POR in language and civilization beyond POR 3010, POW in literature and culture, and PRT (Portuguese/Brazilian literature in translation). Two independent-study courses (4905) may be accepted as part of the major's requirements. Select courses outside the department may also count toward the major under special conditions.
Recommended Coursework
- ANT 4336 People of Brazil
- LAH 4630 Modern Brazil
- LAS 2001 Introduction to Latin America
- LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics
- MUH 3541 Latin American Music
- Classes in humanities, fine arts and social sciences that relate to the Portuguese-speaking world
- Additional course information
Overseas Study
The university sponsors a reasonably priced summer B program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Majors and minors are encouraged to participate at the 3000-/4000-level; they receive 6 hours of credit. The program fulfills the summer residency requirement. Students in approved overseas study programs can earn up to 15 credits that do not count as excess credits beyond the 120 credits required for graduation.
Placement
See the undergraduate coordinator for placement information, especially for transfer students and heritage speakers.
Relevant Minors and/or Certificates
Majors may want to pursue a certificate in Latin American Studies.
Research
Students who wish to complete a senior thesis for honors should consult Portuguese faculty at least two semesters in advance of graduation.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2:
- Maintain 2.0 UF GPA
Semester 3:
- Complete POR 1130
Semester 4:
- Complete POR 1131 with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete POR 3242 and one additional Portuguese course with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| POR 1130 Beginning Portuguese 1 or POR 3010 Introduction to Portuguese and Brazil (accelerated) * | 5 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| POR 1131 Beginning Portuguese 2 | 5 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 5 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| POR 3242 Oral and Written Practice in Portuguese | 3 |
| Elective (PRT literature in translation recommended) | 2 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or B) | 1 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| POR 3243 Composition and Conversation | 3 |
| POR or POW 3000-level course (GE-H, N) | 3 |
| Elective (LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics recommended) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| POR or POW 3000-level course (GE-H) or POR or POW 4000-level course | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| POR or POW 3000-level course (GE-H) or POR or POW 4000-level course | 3 |
| Elective (3000+ level, not in major; LAH 4630 Brazil After 1750 suggested) | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| POR or POW 3000-level courses or POR or POW 4000-level courses | 6 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| POR or POW 3000-level courses or POR or POW 4000-level courses | 6 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
* POR 3010 may be offered fall, spring or summer A and satisfies the CLAS language requirement. POR 3010 does not count as a 3000-level course for major or minor requirements.