HR220-5-AU-CO:
The Making of Modern Brazil (Nineteenth Century)
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Inactive
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
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Although Brazil is the fifth biggest country of the world in terms of population and territory, the country and its history remain widely unknown to most Europeans. Brazil is part of the Western world since the beginning of the sixteenth century, when the Portuguese and other Europeans established their first colonies on the coast, but at the same time retains a strong African and Native American heritage. Extreme social inequality as well as the amazing capacity of integrating different cultures into an original new synthesis characterizes this `land of contrasts`. Today Brazil is asserting itself as a key player in international politics alongside other emerging powerhouses of the world.
The module will provide a general introduction to the political and social history of the Brazilian Republic from the overthrow of the Empire (1889) to the democratic transition following the military dictatorship (1964-85). The main focus of lectures and seminars, however, will be on the social movements in this period. What kind of people supported them? What were their aims and actions? What type of organisations developed and how effective were they in reaching their goals? We will examine social unrest in the rural backlands, which often took the form of religious groups led by charismatic leaders or groups of bandits who ransomed wealthier landlords. In the rapidly growing cities urban riots against modernisation from above gave place to strikes organised by European anarchists, who had immigrated to Brazil since the end of the nineteenth century. As the case of fascist and communist movements during the 1930s shows, the country took part in broader, global developments although these assumed very Brazilian forms. The military dictatorship led to the radicalisation of the opposition, and the emergence of urban and rural guerrillas (1969-74), as well as the currently ruling Workers Party (PT), founded by trade-unionists and a wide range of grass-roots activists. Democratisation saw the development of a further wave of social movements in the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as the Movement of the Landless and the Black Consciousness Movement. The overall aim of the module is to understand why and how Brazilian governments and forms of protest changed so much over the last century.
1. To introduce students to the history of modern Brazil, acquiring a minimum of factual knowledge and allowing them a deeper understanding of contemporary Brazilian society.
2. To provide an overview of the recent Brazilian and Brazilianist (mainly US-American) historiography. Lectures and readings should enable students to engage critically with the historiographical debates in classes/seminars and in their essays. This should develop their awareness of the relevance of theoretical issues and types of historical approaches beyond Western Europe.
3. To develop students skills in familiarising themselves rapidly with a new topic not included in traditional curricula. Globalisation and the emergence of a Brazil as a major partner in world economy highlight the need to understand the social and historical background of this and other major Third World countries.
No information available.
No additional information available.
One-hour lecture and one-hour seminar per week.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
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Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Matthias Rohrig Assuncao, email: assuncao@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Matthias Rohrig Assunção
Belinda Waterman, Department of History, 01206 872313
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Yes
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Dr Ingeborg Dornan
Brunel University London
Reader in History
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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