Portuguese Undergraduate Study
Portuguese is the seventh most spoken language in the world, with over 250 million speakers. It is the language of Portugal, Brazil, and parts of Africa and Asia. Brazil, with a population of 185 million, is the largest country in South America and has the ninth largest economy in the world. Portuguese as a second language would open multiple job opportunities in various countries with expanding economies and a promising future. It would also provide a vehicle to the rich cultural traditions of Portugal and Brazil, including literature, art, and music.
If you want to practice your Portuguese in an informal environment, join us once a week. The place and time will be announced at the beginning of each semester. You can also invite your friends who speak Portuguese!
A major in Portuguese combines the study of the language, culture, and literatures of Brazil and Portugal. Emphasis is placed on the language as it is currently spoken and its historical development. Students study the literatures of Brazil and Portugal in terms of their historical development and analyze specific texts from different genres and literary periods. Students interested in a major in Portuguese should consult the Portuguese language advisor.
Because few entering students have completed course work in Portuguese prior to enrollment in the University, it is essential that interested students start the language as early as the first year. Completion of PORT 204 satisfies the Foundations foreign language requirements and is considered a prerequisite for the Portuguese major.
The major in Portuguese consists of eight courses to be chosen from PORT 310, 323, 382, 388, 390, 398, 501, 502, 503, 504, 526.
NOTE: Up to three of the required courses may be taken in such allied fields as Classics, History, Art, Music, Women’s Studies, etc., with approval of the Undergraduate Advisor in Portuguese.
The minor in Portuguese consists of a minimum of five courses from the major numbered between 300 and 699, excluding 691H. One of the five courses must be the composition and grammar review course, PORT 310.
Portuguese Undergraduate Support
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Learn more about Language Placement and UNC’s Language Requirements.