From “The Girl from Ipanema” to Carmen Miranda, Brazilian cultural exports have largely generated mythical representations of the country for others to consume. Seeking to gain a more rigorous and nuanced understanding than such myths of “sensual” and “tropical” Brazil allow, this course will examine twentieth-century Brazilian artistic production through a series of case studies on visual art, architecture, music, literature, film, and carnival practices. Key texts, figures, and movements include Poesia Pau-Brasil, concrete poetry, Caetano Veloso, Tropicália, Oscar Niemeyer, Lucio Costa, Lygia Clark, Hélio Oiticica, and Glauber Rocha.
In addition to studying these cases individually, this course will consider the ways these forms of production inform one another, and are informed by social, political, and economic circumstances. We will examine Brazilian culture in the context of neo-colonialism, race and class struggle, and “globalization.” Classes will consist of lectures and discussion, and assignments will include music and films and well as written texts. Students will be required to submit six response papers, a research proposal, and an eight-page final paper. Students from all disciplines are welcome, and knowledge of Portuguese is not required.
