Christ the Redeemer (statue) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Honors Passport: Brazil

June 7 — 27, 2025

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This course offers a thorough examination of the foundational sociocultural elements underpinning Brazilian society. It explores the intersection of crucial elements of social organization, including race, class, gender, and sexuality, and their impact on the perpetuation of inequality across Brazil's social, political, and economic domains. By integrating theoretical frameworks with practical examples, students will examine how societal constructions of difference contribute to disparities in social institutions and policies, thereby shaping individuals’ everyday realities.

Embracing an interdisciplinary approach, the course draws on diverse texts spanning literature, anthropology, sociology, journalism, history, and film to trace the evolution of ideas and sociocultural dynamics within Brazil. By examining various cultural dimensions, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted themes shaping Brazilian society and identity, enabling them to adeptly interconnect and contextualize these themes within both historical narratives and analytical frameworks.

Moreover, this exploration empowers students to engage in insightful cross-cultural analyses,drawing illuminating parallels between Brazilian cultural heritage and that of other Latin

American nations as well as the United States. Through this comprehensive study, students will not only develop a deeper appreciation for Brazil's complexities but also cultivate the critical skills necessary for comparative cultural analysis and understanding.

What's in it for you:

  • Build a comprehensive base of knowledge encompassing various types of inequalities in Brazil, including those related to race, class, gender, and sexuality, from multiple perspectives.
  • Comprehend the historical contexts and transformations of issues related to race, class, gender, and sexuality in Brazil, and understand how these intersect within the country’s sociocultural landscape.
  • Evaluate the impact of societal constructions of difference on disparities within social institutions and policies in Brazil and understand how these disparities influence individuals’ everyday experiences.
  • Demonstrate a better understanding of key cultural, historical, and societal developments that have shaped Brazilian society, effectively showcasing their comprehension through written analyses and class discussions.
  • Examine the issues of inequality in Brazil, considering the perspectives of residents and the actions taken by local, state, and national governments to address them.
  • Engage in insightful cross-cultural analyses, drawing parallels between Brazilian cultural heritage and that of other Latin American nations as well as the United States, while developing critical skills for comparative cultural analysis and understanding.

What's expected of you:

  • On-Campus Class from May 27 to June 6
  • Travel from June 7-June 27
  • Pre-Trip Comparative Film Reviews
  • Pre-Trip Debate
  • Introduction Debrief for one of the days in Brazil
  • Critical Analysis of "Captains of the Sands" by Jorge Amado
  • Final Paper
  • Active engagement in all lectures, discussions, and site visits

Course Credit:

Honors Passport: Brazil counts as six hours of honors credit in ONE of the following courses:

  • Fulbright College:
    • Upper Level Humanities Honors Seminar

About your professors:

Headshot of Caree Banton. Caree Banton is an associate professor of African diaspora history and the director of the African and African American Studies Program at the University of Arkansas. Banton earned a B.P.A. in Public Administration and B.A. in History from Grambling State University in 2005. She received a M.A. in Development Studies from the University of Ghana in July 2012 and completed her Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University in June 2013.  Much of her work focuses on teaching and learning with an emphasis on strong research, written, and verbal communication skills, problem-solving around issues of diversity, justice, and equity, and cultivating empathetic listening abilities in adults. Her academic research focuses on movements toward freedom, particularly abolition, emancipation, and colonization through which she explores ideas of citizenship, nationhood, and race. Her work has been supported by the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, the Andrew Mellon Foundation Fellowship, the Lapidus Center Fellowship at the Schomburg Center, the Nancy Weiss Malkiel Fellowship, and the National Endowment for the Humanities grant. Dr. Banton is a member of the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy and has been named a Master Teacher in Fulbright College. Her book, More Auspicious Shores: Barbadian Migration to Liberia, Blackness, and the Making of the African Republic, was published by Cambridge University Press in May 2019.

Edvan Brito is an adjunct lecturer in African and African American studies at the U of A, where he specializes in the African diaspora in the Americas and Luso-Afro-Brazilian history and culture. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in linguistics from Georgetown University. With over 14 years of experience directing Portuguese language programs and teaching Portuguese and Luso-Afro-Brazilian culture, Brito has contributed to numerous esteemed institutions, such as Georgetown University, Middlebury College, the University of Arkansas, the Defense Language Institute (DLI), Dickinson College, and Howard University. He has published several peer-reviewed articles on sociolinguistics and Portuguese as an additional language. In addition to his academic work, he is the author of two children’s books: Vela and the Gats and Breathe Luna Breathe.