BA Degree Portuguese

Program Overview

The Portuguese Studies program at UCC immerses students in the language and culture of Portugal and the Lusophone world through a range of disciplines. The program emphasizes interactive learning and provides an opportunity for study abroad in Portugal, equipping students with strong linguistic proficiency, cultural awareness, and career prospects in various fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Portuguese Studies program at UCC allows students to delve into the language and culture of Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world (Lusofonia) through various disciplines like literature, art, theatre, film, music, history, and media.
• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of Portuguese language and culture, fostering their linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness.
• Description: The program caters to absolute beginners, with BA International students having the option to spend their third year at a university in Portugal (Coimbra).
The program emphasizes interactive teaching and learning, encouraging student participation and involvement.

Outline:

• Year 2 Modules:
• Portuguese Studies: This module expands on the exploration of Portuguese culture and society.
• Cultural Identity in the Lusophone World: This module examines the diverse cultural identities within the Portuguese-speaking world.
• Year 3/4 Modules:
• Advanced Portuguese Language:
This module focuses on advanced language skills and proficiency.
• Contemporary Brazilian Culture: This module explores the contemporary cultural landscape of Brazil.
• Portuguese Modernism and Fernando Pessoa: This module delves into the literary movement of Portuguese Modernism and the works of renowned poet Fernando Pessoa.
• BA International Students: These students spend their third year studying at an approved foreign university in a country related to their major language or subject, returning to UCC for their final year.

Assessment:

• Methods: Assessment methods vary depending on the module and include:
• Written exams (before Christmas and in May)
• Written and oral examinations
• In-class tests
• Essays
• Group projects
• Presentations (predominantly for cultural studies modules)
However, it can be inferred that criteria would be aligned with the learning objectives of each module and the overall program goals.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program emphasizes interactive teaching and learning, with small group sizes to facilitate student participation and involvement.
• Faculty: The teaching staff are internationally recognized experts in their field, with language classes taught by native speakers.
• Unique Approaches: The program offers a study abroad option in Portugal for Year 3, allowing students to immerse themselves in the language and culture.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: The program equips students with a range of skills, making them competitive for careers in:
• International business
• Teaching
• Marketing
• Translation
• Public service
• Tourism
• Recruitment
• Journalism
• Media
• Opportunities: The program highlights the growing prominence of Portuguese as a world language, making it a marketable skill in various sectors, particularly commerce, engineering, translation, tourism, health, and sports.
• Placement or Study Abroad Information:
• Study Abroad:
Students have the option to spend Year 3 studying in Portugal, enhancing their linguistic skills.
• Work Placement: Students enrolled in the BA or BA International programs have the opportunity to participate in a work placement during Year 2.

The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme.