Brazilian Literature, Culture, and the Arts

Salvador, Bahia, August 6th-September 4th

About Salvador: Brazil’s cultural capital

Founded in 1549 on the Bay of All Saints

Brazil’s first capital city

Hub of the colonial-era sugar economy, lush green climate

Center of the Brazilian northeast (short plane rides to Rio, São Paulo, Brasília, Recife)

Current population: around 2.7 million

Center of Afro-Brazilian culture and Brazilian popular music

Salvador has a unique regional culture (music, food, religion, art, capoeira)

The Brazil Program: The Basics

Four weeks in Salvador da Bahia

Partnership between UC Davis and ACBEU (Associação Cultural Brasil-Estados Unidos), a Salvador-based language school

Classes Monday-Thursday; Most Fridays and evenings free

Mornings, 9-11:45 am: class with Prof. Newcomb

Afternoons: 1-2 pm: Survival Portuguese; 2-4 pm: Cultural activities

In-class presentations on Brazilian music, film, history, etc.

Home stay with Brazilian families

Travel in and around Salvador: Baroque Cathedrals! Afro-Brazilian religious centers! Tropical islands! Sandy beaches! Sea turtles!

The Brazil Program: Schedule

August 7th: Arrive in Salvador, shuttle to local hotel

August 8th: Orientation (9 am-12 pm); lunch with host family; guided tour of Pelourinho

September 1st: last day of class

September 4th: departure from Salvador

Many students stay on in Brazil after the conclusion of the program, travelling on their own (Rio de Janeiro, etc.)

The Brazil Program: Academics

Portuguese 161 & 198: A literature course with an interdisciplinary approach

We cover Brazilian and Bahian literature, culture and the arts from the colonial period to the present, from baroque architecture to hip-hop.

Several guest speakers from local universities, bands, and groups

Credit: POR 161 and 198 count toward the minor in Portuguese at UCD

Reading: two novels, several poems, short essays

Survival Portuguese: Taught by bilingual Brazilian instructors; you test into the beginning or more advanced class; practical help in interacting with Brazilians

Mandatory attendance for both POR 161/198 and Survival Portuguese

The Brazil Program: City trips & Excursions

City trips include: guided tour of the Pelourinho (Salvador’s historical center), visit to a candomblé house of worship, folkloric dance performance

Excursions:

Itaparica: lush island in the Bay of All Saints; tour of the island; visit to fishing and market town; beach; day trip

Praia do Forte: colonial-era fortress (Castelo Garcia d’Ávila) and turtle sanctuary (Projeto TAMAR); beach; one night

Chapada Diamantina: canyons and nature; colonial town; a look at the northeastern interior; two nights

About the instructor and administrators

Rob Newcomb (rpnewcomb@ucdavis.edu): UCD professor of Spanish and Portuguese; teaches Portuguese language and Brazilian literature; speaks fluent Portuguese; familiar with Salvador; has traveled throughout Brazil and Latin America

Megan Hartrick (mhartrick@ucdavis.edu): Summer Abroad; Salvador Program Coordinator for UCD; has backpacked through Europe, traveled in South America

Clara Ramos: Salvador Program Coordinator for ACBEU; bilingual Portuguese-English

Ângela Morback: Assistant Salvador Program Coordinator for ACBEU

Why Salvador this summer?

Culture and charm: Salvador is a wonderful melting pot of cultures, a city unlike any other.

Friendliness: Brazilians are exceptionally friendly and welcoming of visitors. Visitors to Brazil tend to make friends for life.

Academics: You will come out of this program with a much deeper knowledge of Brazilian literature, culture, and the arts, and speaking some Portuguese!

Organization: By teaming with ACBEU and local families, we’ve designed a very well-run and safe program.

Accessibility: Salvador is a just a plane ride away from Rio or São Paulo (2 hours) or even the Amazon (6-8 hours). And Brazil’s regional bus system is excellent.

Affordability: This is one of UCD’s more affordable summer programs. And with various trips, meals and activities included, you get a lot of value for your money.

Axé, orixás, acarajé, samba, capoeira, moqueca, candomblé: All of these words will mean something to you once you’ve completed this program!