HIST 419C/HIST619R/LASC 448D
AFRICAN-BRAZILIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
JOURNAL (25% OF FINAL GRADE)
All students will be expected to keep a journal of their reactions to readings, site visits,
classes, and general experiences. The journal may contain personal information, but you
should keep in mind that it will be read by others. Within reasonable limits, the journal
should be kept daily.
READINGS/DISCUSSION/PARTICIPATION (25% OF FINAL GRADE)
Capoeira, Nestor. The Little Capoeira Book. North Atlantic Books, 1995.
Eakin, Marshall. Brazil: The Once and Future Country. Griffin, 1998.
Encarta Africana entries [Reader]
French, John. Handouts from Sharing the Riches of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture.
2002. [Reader]
Guillermoprieto, Alma. Samba. Vintage, 1991.
Jesus, Carolina Maria de. 1958 entry to Unedited Diaries of Carolina Maria de Jesus.
Robert M. Levine and José Carlos Sebe Bom Meihy, eds. Rutgers University
Press, 1999. [Reader]
Fry, Peter, "Feijoada and Soul Food: Notes on the Manipulation of Ethic and National
Symbols," translated from his Para Inglês Ver: identidade e política na cultura
brasileira. Rio de Janeiro,1982. [Reader]
Kraay, Hendrik, ed. Afro-Brazilian Culture and Politics: Bahia, 1790s to 1990s. M.E.
Sharpe, 1998.
Rohter, Larry. "Racial Quotas in Brazil Touch Off Fierce Debate," New York
Times,!April 5, 2003. [Reader]
Skidmore, Thomas E. "Fact and Myth: Discovering a Racial Problem in Brazil," Working
Paper #173. The Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies, 1992. [Reader]
THOUGHT PIECE AND PHOTO ESSAY (50% OF FINAL GRADE)
Drawing from personal interest, past course, and our preliminary discussions about
African-Brazilian history and culture, each student should choose a topic of interest
suitable for a written thought piece. The completed thought piece should be
approximately 10 pages in length, and should develop a critical discussion about the
chosen theme in relation to the materials and experiences presented during the class.
!
A photo-essay should accompany the thought piece. (In the spirit of Romare Bearden, the
photo essay may include drawings, clippings, commercial ads, and found objects). In
order to complete the photo-essay, please bring a camera and film. Disposable cameras
are ideal for this kind of asll be retuned once final grades have been submitted.