HIST 387: Topics in Global History

HIST 387-006: Brazilian Fantasy, History, and Culture
(Fall 2015)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T

Planetary Hall 212

Section Information for Fall 2015

Samba! Sex! Soccer! Do these stereotypes about Brazil reflect realities? Where do they come from? The Portuguese phrase país do samba e do futebol—“the country of samba and soccer”—expresses a sometimes ironic self-consciousness about these hallmarks of identity and perception of what Brazil is, both in Brazil and beyond. 

So, then, what is Brazil—or Brazilianness? In this class we will think about the ways in which people and cultures in Brazil have developed, been represented, been fantasized about, and why these things are so. We’ll explore where samba comes from and how it came to be Brazil’s “national” dance; why Brazil has so often been identified with sensuous femininity; and what does make soccer important in Brazil. We’ll think about how and why ideas about Brazilianness range from deep, medieval Catholicism to oversexed libertinism; from “savage” and “underdeveloped” to urbane and techy; and from “Latin” to African to indigenous. At the heart of our stories will be questions about sexuality, gender, race, nation-building, and identity—we will use sources ranging from novels to sociological studies to films to analyze the ways these tropes have shaped the idea of Brazil, within and without.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3-6

Study of historical topics or periods of special interest in global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern history. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Mason Core: Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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