Objectives, Assessment, and Contact Hours
Aim and Objectives
The module aims to enhance students' knowledge and skills in the following key ways:
- knowledge and understanding of the key patterns, events, concepts and themes that have shaped modern Brazilian history
- understanding of Brazil's place in the context of broader Latin American history
- an ability to distinguish critically between the particular and the general
- an ability to develop the tools for broader comparative analysis
- an ability to research for appropriate materials and weigh up the merits of pieces of historical evidence
- an ability to develop and sustain coherent intellectual argument
Formative Assessment (non assessed):
Please note that HARD COPIES of ALL formative and summative work [INCLUDING THE PRESENTATIONS] are a requirement on this course. Please put these in the pigeonhole outside my office (H339).
During the academic year, students will complete three pieces of formative work:
1: A 2,000-word formative essay. Deadline: Tuesday, term 1, week 10. See questions below.
2: A 1,500-word book review. Deadline: Tuesday, term 2, week 5.
See Book Review Guidelines and Suggested Titles for detailed suggestions about how to do this exercise and a list of suitable books for review.
3: A 10-minute in-class presentation, to be completed in term 1, 2 or 3.
For guidelines about the presentation see: Presentation Guidelines
Summative Assessment (assessed work):
Students will be assessed by:
- 4500 word essay (50%)
- 2-hour, two question exam paper (50%).
For a sample paper, see here. There is also one past paper on the Library website, although note that the format has changed. There will now be two essay questions to answer in two hours, not the series of short questions that previously formed part of the exam.
The exam will take place during summer term on a date that will be scheduled closer to the time. .
For detailed information about assessed work including deadline dates and submission instructions please refer to the Department Assessment & Submission webpages.
Formative Essay Questions
- "Brazil declared independence in 1822, but many of colonial Brazil's economic, political and social structures remained essentiallly unchanged by 1889." Discuss.
- "Independence in 1822 left unresolved major questions about the political direction the new country would take." How well does this statement describe Brazil between 1822 and 1889?
- Why did Brazil remain a united country between 1822 and 1888?
- Assess the role of coffee in Brazilian economics, politics and society between about 1822 and 1889.
- What impact did liberalism have on nineteenth-century Brazil?
- How did the institution of slavery shape Brazilian society, economics and politics between about 1750 and 1888?
- The process of Brazilian national formation has often been seen as relatively peaceful and harmonious. Analyse this assertion with reference to 1750-1889.
- What was the significance of the monarchy for Brazilian political life between 1808 and 1889?
- How democratic was Brazil from 1822 to 1889?
Contact Hours
Student contact hours for this second-year option module will be comprised as follows:
| Lectures: | Twenty one-hour lectures |
| Seminars: | Twenty one-hour seminars |
| Tutorials: | Four hours of feedback and long essay preparation |
| Total: | Forty-four hours |