Portuguese is the sole official language of seven countries spanning three continents: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. In addition, Portuguese enjoys co-official language status in East Timor, Equatorial Guinea and Macau. It is the sixth most spoken language worldwide and the fifth most spoken on the internet.
Among the countries where Portuguese is an official language, Brazil stands out as a formidable emerging 21st-century economic power. With a population of more than 190 million people, it is one of the 10 largest markets in the world.
Students learning Portuguese are often initially attracted by the array of vibrant Lusophone cultures, but the language is also appealing for pragmatic reasons to increasing numbers of business, economics, political science, anthropology and environmental studies majors. Many students are interested in Latin American Studies or globalization, or they are curious about Brazil's rich natural resources and booming technology industry.
Portuguese is an outstanding supplement to any student's education. For those already fluent in Spanish or other Romance languages, Portuguese represents the chance to take a fast-paced course sequence and be fluent more quickly in multiple languages.
At Washington University, Portuguese classes are marked by the same joyful, positive environment that is characteristic of many Lusophone cultures. Outside the classroom, students can improve their fluency at cultural events, the bate-papa (conversation) group, and Lusophone movie nights, in addition to choosing from study abroad programs affiliated with the university, either for the summer or for an entire semester.
Bem-vindos!
Chair
Endowed Professors
Mabel Moraña
William H. Gass Professor in Arts & Sciences; Director of Latin American Studies Program
PhD, University of Minnesota
Ignacio Sánchez Prado
Jarvis Thurston and Mona Van Duyn Professor in Humanities in Arts & Sciences
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Professors
Joe Barcroft
PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Associate Professors
Assistant Professor
Teaching Professors
Lionel Cuillé
PhD, Ecole Normale Supérieure Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Lyon
Senior Lecturers
Lecturers
Mark Dowell
MA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professors Emeriti
Elyane Dezon-Jones
Doctorat de 3e Cycle, University of Paris
Michel Rybalka
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers two years of intensive course work in Portuguese. Although there is not yet an official major in this area, students can opt to include Portuguese as one of their three languages of concentration in the pursuit of a Romance languages major. For more information about this option, please email Eliza Williamson.
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers course work in Portuguese; however, there is not yet a minor in this area.
Visit online course listings to view semester offerings for L37 Portug.
L37 Portug 101 Portuguese I
Introduction to Portuguese language. The course emphasizes acquisition of communicative ability. It also covers basic grammar points through reading and writing activities. Classes are taught entirely in Portuguese. No prior experience in the language is required.
Credit 5 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS
BU: HUM
EN: H
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L37 Portug 102A Portuguese II
Introduction to Portuguese language. This second course in the Portuguese program emphasizes acquisition of communicative ability. It also covers basic grammar structures through reading and writing activities. Classes are taught entirely in Portuguese. Prerequisite: Portug 101 or permission of instructor.
Credit 5 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS
BU: HUM
EN: H
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L37 Portug 103 Portuguese for Romance Language Speakers I
Intensive and accelerated course especially designed to take advantage of students' knowledge of Spanish and to promote a more rapid learning of Portuguese. Classes are entirely taught in Portuguese and stress oral communication, basic use of grammar, reading and writing skills. Intermediate online placement exam in Spanish is required.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS
BU: HUM
EN: H
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L37 Portug 104 Portuguese for Romance Language Speakers II
This course intends to offer a sequence in the learning process initiated in Portug 103. It is a fast-paced class, designated for Spanish speakers with the objective of improving conversational, writing and reading skills. Prerequisite: Portug 103 or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS
BU: HUM
EN: H
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L37 Portug 215 Reading and Conversation I
The goal of this course is to review and enhance the content learned at the basic level. Through culturally relevant readings and related conversational activities, students are expected to enrich their vocabulary, gain fluency, and improve both reading comprehension and writing skills. Prerequisites: two college semesters of Portuguese or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS
BU: HUM
EN: H
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L37 Portug 220 Reading and Conversation II: Intermediate Portuguese
This course is a continuation of Portug 215, therefore an intermediate level in the Portuguese section. Its main goal is to improve students' reading proficiency, as well as to provide a class environment in which conversational skills can be practiced and made into a solid foundation. In addition, the class provides tools to expand vocabulary and promote a cultural understanding of Brazil. Prerequisite: Portug 215 or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD
BU: HUM
EN: H
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L37 Portug 399 Undergraduate Independent Study
Prerequisite: permission of the department.
Credit 3 units.
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