(Major Code: 03082) (SIMS Code: 115704)
Majors in Brazilian Studies complete an interdisciplinary program on Brazil: one of the largest democracies in our hemisphere, a key trading partner, and an important source of cultural production. While the primary intellectual focus of the proposed major is on Brazil, program design is intended to place the study of Brazil in the broader context of comparison with the United States, Latin America, the Portuguese-speaking world and the Black Atlantic, thus allowing students to understand Brazil in relation to wider sociocultural and historical contexts.
SDSU is an ideal setting for a major in Brazilian Studies because of the University’s rich offerings in Portuguese language, Latin American Studies, Africana Studies, and the programming and partnerships of the Behner Stiefel Center for Brazilian Studies. The Center’s already existing programs, such as study abroad programs and student internships in Brazil, support the major and offer students opportunities for meaningful learning experiences in Brazil. Furthermore, San Diego, which is home to a sizeable Brazilian population, boasts a strong Brazilian cultural presence throughout the city. The Center maintains active collaborations with community partners, who support student learning through guest lectures, cultural events, and other programming.
A major in Brazilian Studies provides several professional and academic opportunities. The interdisciplinary training of the Brazilian Studies major enables students to choose the courses that will best prepare them for their career goals. An undergraduate degree in Brazilian Studies can lead to exciting careers in diplomacy, international organizations, the private sector, and the nonprofit sector. The Brazilian Studies capstone requirement ensures that students graduate having completed a research project of publishable quality that can serve as a writing sample for graduate school or job applications.
