HISTORY of BRAZIL
History 3178 - Fall 2004
Dr. Jerry Dávila
Email: jdavila@uncc.edu
Office: Garinger 132
Office Hours: Mondays, 2-4 and by appointment
Brazil is a fascinating and complicated country. In five centuries since the
arrival of
Portuguese colonizers, Brazil has emerged as one of the largest, most
economically significant and
socially diverse countries in the world. This course combines a general history
of Brazil with an
in-depth look at Brazilian culture and society. We will survey the major
historical trends in
Brazilian society, ranging from its development as a Portuguese colony and its
role at the center
of slavery and the slave trade in the Americas to its distinctive patterns of
independence and
nationhood. Brazil’s experience as an independent nation during the nineteenth
century (it
became the only monarchy in the Americas) offers an interesting point of
comparison to the
history of republican nationhood elsewhere in the continent. We will also
examine the challenges
of state and nation building during the twentieth century as well as the
challenges associated with
late industrialization and state-sponsored development.
Traditionally seen as a country shaped by the mix of African, European and
Indigenous peoples, increased recognition is being given to other social groups
that do not fit
neatly into these categories. The eighth largest economy in the world, Brazil
suffers from one of
the greatest gaps between rich and poor of any nation. Buffeted by cycles of
political and
economic turmoil, Brazil had one of the longest military dictatorships of Latin
America, and is in
the midst of a transition to democracy. These are the principle challenges faced
by Brazilians,
and this course will look at Brazilian responses to them. Naturally, we will
also face the question
about how we, as historians, understand these issues, and their meanings for
Brazilians.
A subtext to this analysis is the assumption that all history is inherently
comparative
and, moreover, that Brazilian society is a mirror of our own in some unexpected
and remarkable
ways. The questions of identity framed in this course -- race, class and gender
-- form the map of
exclusion and integration of societies throughout the Americas, including the
United States. By
studying Brazil in its historical specificity we explore questions of identity,
modernity and
society which are widely relevant.
The following books are required for the course:
WORKGROUPS
Students in History 3178 will divide at the beginning of the semester into six
workgroups based
the following themes: economics and business; gender and women’s issues;
dictatorship, the
military, authoritarianism; the environment; culture and society; and social
policy. Each group
will work as a team over the course of the semester to bring thematic continuity
and depth to the
class. In addition, each group will assemble a research project in consultation
with me. This
semester-long project will result in a class presentation and a written report.
Each student will
also submit an independently prepared research paper (8-10 pages) on a topic
related to the
workgroup theme.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
The health of our intellectual community depends upon highest standards of
academic integrity,
as set out in the UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity printed in
the
Undergraduate Catalogue. I expect you to be steadfast and rigorous in adhering
to the following
five principles: (1) all work that you submit must be your own; (2) you may not
submit work
that has already been submitted in another class; (3) When you draw directly
from another
source, you must place that language in quotes and cite the source; (4) When you
paraphrase
from another source, you must cite the source; (5) Do not falsify information.
Failure to abide
by these norms can result in a failing grade for the course and further
disciplinary action.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Midterm:
20%
Monday, October 4
Class Participation:
10%
Quizzes
10%
Workgroup Participation/Presentation:
20%
November 12-29
Book Review (2-3 pages):
10%
October 25
Term Paper (8-10 pages):
10%
November 22
Final Exam:
20%
December 17, 12-3pm
MEETINGS and READING ASSIGNMENTS:
***Unless specified, readings listed are to be completed by the Wednesday
assigned***
**Please turn off your cell phones before coming to class**
Week 1 Aug. 23, 25, 27 Introduction and Overview
Marshall Eakin, Brazil: The Once and Future Country, pp. 1-102 finished by
Friday.
Week 2 Aug. 30, Sept. 1, 3 Colonial Brazil
Marshall Eakin, Brazil: The Once and Future Country, pp. 103-263.
Week 3 Sept. 6 (No Class), 8, 10 Independence and Nationhood
Emilia Viotti da Costa, The Brazilian Empire, pp. xix-94.
Week 4 Sept. 13, 15, 17 Slavery
The Brazil Reader: History, Culture, Politics, eds. Robert Levine and John Crocitti,
(Durham: Duke University Press, 1999), p. 125-147. (Handout).
- Anonymous, “The War Against Palmares”
- Sir Richard Francis Burton, “Slave Life at the Morro Velho Mine”
- João Dunshee, “Scenes from the Slave Trade”
- Thomas Ewbank, “Cruelty to Slaves”
- Joaquim Nabuco, “Slavery and Society”
- Legislature of Minas Gerais, “Laws Regulating Beggars in Minas Gerais”
Week 5 Sept. 20, 22, 24 The Paraguayan War and the Abolition of Slavery
Emilia Viotti da Costa, The Brazilian Empire, pp. 94-end.
Week 6 Sept. 27, 29, Oct. 1 First Group Meetings
Week 7 Oct. 4, 6 (No Class), 8 (No Class) Midterm Exam
Midterm, Monday, October 4
Week 8 Oct. 11 (No Class), 13, 15 Race and Nationality
Thomas Skidmore, Black into White, entire.
Week 9 Oct. 18, 20, 22 The Old Republic and the Revolution of 1930
Kim Butler, Freedoms Given, Freedoms Won, pp. 1-128.
Week 10 Oct. 25, 27, 29 Second Group Meetings
Book Review due
Week 11 Nov. 1, 3, 5 Race Relations
Kim Butler, Freedoms Given, Freedoms Won, pp. 129-228.
Week 12 Nov. 8, 10, 12 Workgroup Meetings and First Group Presentation
Week 13 Nov. 15, 17, 19 Group Presentations
Week 14 Nov. 22, 24 (No Class), 26 (No Class) Group Presentations
Term Paper Due
Week 15 Nov. 29, Dec. 1, 3 Last Group Presentation
From the Estado Novo to the Military Regime
James Green, Beyond Carnival, 1-199.
Week 16 Dec. 6, 8 Conclusion
James Green, Beyond Carnival, 200-285.
**Note: The Final Exam will be held on Friday, December 17 from 12-3pm**