This course examines the urban landscapes of cities in the Portuguese-speaking world across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, exploring their histories, cultural productions, and evolving identities. From Lisbon to Luanda, Rio de Janeiro to Maputo, and Goa to Dili, we delve into the architecture, literature, music, and cinema that shape these urban centers. Themes include colonial and postcolonial transformations, social inequality, migration, and the intersection of urban life with environmental challenges. Students will analyze how cityscapes serve as spaces of memory, resistance, and creativity, revealing the complexities of urban life across this interconnected planetary network. Taught in English
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeEasy class, skim books. Two online tests with multiple-choice questions and one essay question. one final essay, Weekly reading responses for a complete/incomplete grade. Attendance required passes around a physical sign-in sheet. Overall good class, easy A just complete and try everything
5 required books to read. Attendance taken at lecture, but you don't really need to attend to get a good grade. 1 paper along with 2 exams with multiple choice and long SAQs that were basically mini essays. Seemed like they were looking for really specific things in the SAQs, but didn't deduct a lot of points for the "mistakes."
He is a very enthusiastic and intellectual professor. The lectures are very low energy (although I accredit this more to an unenthusiastic student body), but the lectures are very interesting and pair nicely with the readings. The reading schedule is flexible, and the grading is light. He truly cares about his students and wants us to do well.
He is a very thoughtful and intelligent professor. His lectures are insightful and provide lots of information to go along with the readings. The readings aren't on a super strict timeline, so a lot of flexibility with reading speed. He cares about his students, and wants you to succeed.
I would highly recommend him! I was sick for on and off three weeks and he was very understanding in giving me extensions! Attendance is taken and the lectures can be kinda boring and sometimes seem pointless but I like hearing him talk about the readings. Grade consists of attendance, discussion, take home midterm, take home final essay, and exam.
Attendance required via iClicker but would not be valid if 1 minute late. Lectures felt wildly useless; prof was on a quarter-long tangent. Literally didn't take notes. TA essentially taught the course. Easy A in terms of tests/paper but absolutely insufferable otherwise. Don't take unless good for GEs; ONLY reason I didn't drop the course ASAP.