Portuguese


Faculty List

Professor and Chair
A.T. Pérez-Leroux, MA, PhD

Assistant Professors
A. Rato, MA, PhD
C. Sá Carvalho, MA, PhD

Lecturer (Instituto Camões)
L. Graça

Professors Emeriti
R. Sternberg, MA, PhD (SM)
J.R. Webster, MA, PhD, FRSC (SM)
M. Marujo, MA, PhD

Introduction

Overview

Portuguese is the sixth most widely used language in the world. It is spoken by more than two hundred and sixty million people on four continents inhabited by the Lusophone population: Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Twenty percent of all residents of the Western Hemisphere are Brazilians, a fact attesting to the truth that one out of every five Americans - North, Central, South - speaks Portuguese as his or her native language. The literature of Portugal has a tradition that goes back as far as the twelfth century, and the discoveries of its Renaissance seafarers led the language and the culture to all corners of the globe. 

The Department offers an integrated curriculum, combining courses in language, linguistics, literature, and culture. Courses in the studies of the Lusophone world provide a diverse, flexible and detailed examination of the Portuguese language and its cultures. The skills and knowledge developed in these courses lay the groundwork for careers in teaching, journalism, translation, publishing, and foreign services, as well as for research in a variety of fields. In the Canadian job market, command of the Portuguese language is a definite advantage. Toronto has one of the largest Portuguese speaking diasporas, and Canada has been establishing strong cultural, political and business ties with Brazil.

Why should I learn Portuguese?

  • Portuguese gives you access to a rich and fascinating culture.
  • Portuguese is the world’s sixth most widely spoken language.
  • Portuguese is a mother tongue in the 5 continents, parallel only to English and Spanish.
  • Portuguese is the most widely spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Portuguese unites Portuguese-speaking diasporas all over the world in countries such as Canada, the United States, South-Africa, France or Switzerland.
  • Portuguese has one of the highest growth rates as a second language in the Internet, in social networks and in learning as a foreign language.
  • Portuguese is a Romance language, so if you already know another Romance language (Spanish, Italian, etc.), you will find it easier to learn it.
  • Portuguese is now the first foreign language in the educational system of many countries.
  • Portuguese is the official language of some of the fastest growing economies in the world, namely Brazil and Angola.

What can I do with a degree in Portuguese?

  • Education
  • Marketing, Editing, Copywriting
  • Journalism, Media
  • Library and Information Sciences
  • Public Relations
  • Research
  • Foreign Services/Foreign Affairs Specialist
  • International development
  • Political Aid
  • National and international law

How is the program structured?

For many students, our program begins with the language sequence.

Language Sequence

  1. The Department reserves the right to place students in the language course best suited to their linguistic preparation. Please contact the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies if you would like to take a Placement test to help you determine your level of linguistic competence in Portuguese.
  2. Students who, in the department's assessment, have an adequate knowledge of Portuguese may be required to take Portuguese literature, culture or linguistic course instead of a language course at any level.

The progression of courses in the language sequence is designed to accommodate a wide range of previous language experience. Students are placed in the appropriate language course based on their proficiency as determined by departmental assessment. 

Students who have had little to no previous experience in studying Portuguese may enrol in an intensive course, PRT100Y1. 

Students who have a strong background in Spanish language (native fluency or minimum SPA320Y1), should enrol in PRT120H1. Students who have completed PRT120H1 should proceed to PRT220Y1.

Students who have had previous experience in studying Portuguese may enrol in several intermediate and advanced courses, depending on their background and their level of preparation. Speakers with an intermediate level of Portuguese, including those who successfully completed PRT100Y1 should enrol in PRT220Y1. 

Those students who have had exposure to spoken Portuguese in an informal context (i.e., those who live in a Portuguese-speaking environment; for instance, those who have grown up in a Portuguese-speaking country, or who live in Portuguese speaking families), but who have had little to no exposure to written Portuguese, should enrol in PRT219H1. Students who qualify for this course are able to understand and speak Portuguese. They speak Portuguese relatively fluently, but they usually do not write or read Portuguese. After completing PRT219H1, students should proceed to PRT320Y1.

Students who have completed PRT220Y1 should proceed to PRT320Y1. Those students who come to the program with an advanced level of Portuguese as assessed by the department should also proceed to take PRT320Y1 or PRT420H1.

Following PRT320Y1, students are qualified to enroll in PRT420H1. This course is appropriate for students with a relatively high vocabulary base and good command of grammar and academic writing who need to increase their lexicon, and who need further formal instruction in grammar and writing.

Here are the sequence of language courses in Portuguese:

  1. PRT100Y1 > PRT220Y1 > PRT320Y1 > PRT420H1
  2. PRT219H1 > PRT320Y1 > PRT420H1
  3. PRT120H1 > PRT220Y1 > PRT320Y1 > PRT420H1

PRT423H1, a course for advanced speakers of Portuguese, trains students to develop their skills in a range of professional language fields, such as finances, law, medicine, and education. 

Cognate Courses

  • Portuguese Specialist: Up to 2.0 credits may be taken from cognate departmental or college offerings.
  • Portuguese Major: Up to 1.0 credits may be taken from cognate departmental or college offerings.
  • Portuguese Minor: Up to 1.0 cognate credit may be taken in Spanish.

AFR322H1/NEW322H1; GGR341H1; HIS291H1; HIS292H1; HIS390H1; HIS446H1; HIS390H5; JLN327H1; JLN427H1; JLP315H1; POL442H1; POL360H1;  MUS305H1; LIN101H1, LIN102H1; SPA* and LAS* 

Students who are unsure of what is the most appropriate placement for them in the language sequence should contact the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies to receive personal assessment and recommendation for proper placement. 

Fluent speakers of Portuguese who have received a high school or a higher level of education in the Portuguese language, and who in the department's assessment does not need further training in language, may enroll immediately in any linguistics, literature or culture course.

Literature, Culture and Linguistics Courses

Portuguese opens the door to a rich range of cultural expressions in literature, film, and art, from the world-changing contribution of Renaissance Portugal to the contemporary Brazilian and Luso-African diaspora. Whether it is Nobel-prize winning Portuguese literature or the excitement of the Brazilian cinema novo, Lusophone writers, filmmakers, and artists continue to shape and change contemporary global culture. 

Portuguese also opens the door to the study of the Romance language family. The Department offers students the opportunity to advance their language skills through the systematic reflection on the language structure. Through a variety of courses with a theoretical and experimental focus in linguistics, students acquire basic skills that can be transferred to teaching or research programs. Through collaboration with other language and linguistics programs, students are provided with opportunities and training to conduct research in linguistics with a focus on the Portuguese language.

The Department encourages students to consider completing part of their course work at a university in Portugal or Brazil.

Students should contact the Undergraduate Coordinator early on in the course of their university career to receive advice on how to proceed with their studies and to thus assure that they can receive their degree by the time of planned graduation. For further information, please contact us in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Victoria College, Room 208.

 

Portuguese Programs

Portuguese Specialist (Arts Program) - ASSPE0338

Enrolment Requirements:

This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.

Completion Requirements:

Consult the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

(10.0 credits, including at least 1.0 400-level credit)

First Year:
PRT100Y1/​ PRT120Y1/​ PRT120H1/​ PRT219Y1/​ PRT219H1/​ PRT220Y1

Second Year:
1. PRT220Y1/​ PRT320Y1
2. PRT258H1

Third and Fourth Years:
1. PRT320Y1
2. PRT420H1/​ PRT423H1
3. Plus additional PRT courses to make 10.0 credits. Up to 2.0 credits may be taken from cognate departmental or college offerings: EUR, GGR, HIS, LAS, POL, SPA. A complete list of eligible courses is available at the departmental website.

Portuguese Major (Arts Program) - ASMAJ0338

Enrolment Requirements:

This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.

Completion Requirements:

Consult the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

(7.0 credits)

First Year:
PRT100Y1/​ PRT120Y1/​ PRT120H1/​ PRT219Y1/​ PRT219H1/​ PRT220Y1

Second Year:
1. PRT220Y1/​ PRT320Y1
2. PRT258H1

Third and Fourth Years:
1. PRT320Y1
2. PRT420H1 is recommended for students who start in PRT100Y1/​ PRT120Y1/​ PRT120H1, and is required for students who start in PRT219H1/​ PRT219Y1, PRT220Y1 or PRT320Y1.
3. Plus additional PRT courses to make 7.0 credits. Up to 1.0 credit may be taken from cognate departmental or college offerings: EUR, GGR, HIS, LAS, POL, SPA. A complete list of eligible courses is available at the departmental website.

Portuguese Minor (Arts Program) - ASMIN0338

Enrolment Requirements:

This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.

Completion Requirements:

Consult the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

4.0 credits, including 1.0 credit at the 300+ level.

First Year:
PRT100Y1/​ PRT220Y1 (for students with no previous knowledge or exposure to Portuguese); PRT120Y1/​ PRT120H1 (for native or advanced speakers of Portuguese); PRT219Y1/​ PRT219H1 (for heritage speakers of Portuguese)

Second Year:
PRT220Y1/​ PRT320Y1

Third Year:
PRT320Y1

Additional PRT courses to a total of 4.0 credits. Up to 1.0 cognate credit may be taken in SPA/ LAS.


 

Faculty of Arts & Science Language Citation

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese participates in the Faculty of Arts and Science’s Language Citation initiative for Portuguese.

To obtain a Language Citation in Portuguese, students will successfully complete the two language-sequence courses that follow the introductory level with a minimum of B- in each one of the courses to be considered.

For students with no previous knowledge of Portuguese, PRT220Y1 and PRT320Y1 are required.

Heritage speakers should complete PRT219H1 and three additional 0.5 credit courses in Portuguese at the 300 or 400-level.

Students should note that, as explained in the About Programs of Study section of this Calendar, the Language Citation is not equivalent to an academic program and that enrolment in a program is not necessary in order to earn the recognition bestowed by the Citation.

To request the citation, e-mail your request with your student ID number to the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies. Submit your request as soon as you complete all the courses to be considered.

 

Portuguese: see also European Affairs, Latin American Studies

 

Regarding Portuguese Courses

  1. The Department reserves the right to place students in the language course best suited to their linguistic preparation.
  2. Students who, in the department's assessment, have an adequate knowledge of Portuguese may be required to take a Portuguese linguistics, literature or culture course instead of a language course at any level.

Portuguese Courses

PRT100Y1 - Portuguese for Beginners

Hours: 48L/48T

An intensive basic course in spoken and written Portuguese for students who have no knowledge of this language or advanced Spanish. It aims to give students a basic knowledge of reading, listening, spoken and written skills in a dynamic and communicative way. Presentation of cultural aspects of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Prerequisite: No previous knowledge of Portuguese or advanced Spanish.
Exclusion: PRT110Y1, PRT120Y1, PRT219Y1, PRT220Y1, PRT320Y1, PRT420H1, PRT420Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT120H1 - Portuguese for Spanish Speakers

Previous Course Number: PRT120Y1

Hours: 24L/12T

Introduction to the Portuguese language for speakers of Spanish. Development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills with an emphasis on communication, and an overview of basic grammatical structures and building of vocabulary. Presentation of cultural aspects of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Prerequisite: Native or advanced knowledge of Spanish (min. SPA320Y1 for non-native speakers of Spanish); no previous knowledge of Portuguese.
Exclusion: PRT100Y1, PRT120Y1, PRT220Y1, PRT320Y1, PRT420Y1, PRT420H1, PRT219Y1, PRT219H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT219H1 - Academic Portuguese

Previous Course Number: PRT219Y1

Hours: 24L/12T

For students who have had exposure to spoken Portuguese in an informal context (living in a Portuguese speaking country, or in a Portuguese speaking family) but little to no exposure to written Portuguese. Besides reviewing English/Portuguese spelling differences, written and spoken registers of Portuguese, and basic aspects of the grammatical system, the course (1) provides students with the essential understanding of Portuguese grammatical system; (2) builds their vocabulary; and (3) trains them to express themselves formally in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Prerequisite: Basic to relatively high ability to speak and understand Portuguese; limited or no formal education in Portuguese.
Exclusion: PRT100Y1, PRT120Y1, PRT120H1, PRT219Y1, PRT220Y1, PRT320Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT220Y1 - Intermediate Portuguese

Hours: 48L/24T

This course will bring together Portuguese grammar and language skills into a useful and practical framework, in order to develop students' skills to communicate in an accurate, effective, and informed manner within a variety of socio-cultural situations. Besides introducing new grammar topics corresponding to the intermediate level, it also includes a grammar review with extra work on vocabulary acquisition. Focuses on comprehension, development of a greater complexity in students' written and oral productions, and gaining a better understanding of Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Prerequisite: PRT100Y1/ PRT120Y1/ PRT120H1
Exclusion: PRT219Y1, PRT219H1, PRT110Y1, PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT221H1 - Portuguese Pronunciation

Hours: 24L

Overview of Portuguese speech sounds (articulation and transcription). The course provides perception and pronunciation training of Portuguese vowels, consonants, stress, intonation, and co-articulation phenomena in connected speech. The main focus will be on European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, but differences between these two and other Portuguese accents will be discussed as well.

Prerequisite: PRT100Y1
Corequisite: PRT120Y1/ PRT220Y1
Exclusion: PRT219Y1, native speakers of Portuguese
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT250H1 - Introduction to Lusophone Culture

Hours: 24L

A survey of historical and cultural trends in the Portuguese-speaking world, from colonial past to the present. (Offered in alternate years; taught in English)

Exclusion: PRT252H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT258H1 - Introduction to Lusophone Literature

Previous Course Number: PRT258Y1

Hours: 24L

Introduction to literary studies in Portuguese and information literacy. Representative selection of Lusophone prose, poetry, and drama, with a focus on critical terminology and methods of literary analysis. Required for a program degree.

Prerequisite: First semester PRT220Y1
Exclusion: PRT258Y1
Recommended Preparation: PRT219Y1/ PRT220Y1/ PRT120Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT275H1 - Contemporary Brazilian Cinema

Hours: 36L/12T

This course covers aesthetic, cultural, and social aspects of contemporary Brazilian cinema. The course examines both works of fiction and documentaries from emerging voices as well as world renowned filmmakers, spanning from Cinema Novo to the present. Topics include: music and urban culture, violence, inequality, environmental justice, and gender and sexuality. Lecture time is divided between film screening and class discussion held in English. Students choose tutorials in Portuguese (necessary for this course to be considered towards credit in Portuguese programs) or English.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT299Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities

PRT320Y1 - Advanced Portuguese

Hours: 48L/24T

Intensive practice in written and oral Portuguese for the advanced student. Selective review of grammar with emphasis on complex language structures.

Prerequisite: PRT120Y1/ PRT220Y1/ PRT219H1/ placement test
Exclusion: PRT219Y1, PRT420H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT322H1 - Introduction to Portuguese Linguistics

Hours: 24L

An overview of theoretical and methodological aspects of Portuguese linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Analysis of structural similarities and differences between the two worldwide main Portuguese varieties - Brazilian and European Portuguese.

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1 or PRT220Y1 or PRT120Y1 or Permission of the Department
Corequisite: PRT320Y1
Recommended Preparation: PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT323H1 - Business Portuguese

Hours: 24L/12T

An advanced level business Portuguese course covering topics on international relations, politics, legal and culture. This course aims to enhance written and oral expressions in Portuguese through content focusing on the language that is used in official, diplomatic, and financial situations. Through the analysis of case studies, newspapers and videos, students will be introduced to the business cultures and intercultural communication of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Prerequisite: PRT120Y1, PRT220Y1 or proof of comparable Portuguese level
Corequisite: PRT219Y1/ PRT320Y1 or proof of comparable Portuguese level
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT342H1 - History of Portuguese Language

Hours: 24L

This interdisciplinary course provides an overview of the evolution of Portuguese language from 15th century to the present. It discusses linguistic change by analyzing texts from a variety of genres in different historical periods and geographical contexts.

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1 or PRT220Y1 or PRT120Y1 or Permission of the Department
Corequisite: PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT350H1 - Portuguese Language and Society

Hours: 24L

Explores how factors such as ethnicity, gender, social class and age affect the use of Portuguese language and determine its characteristics. The course overviews mostly the aspects of Brazilian and European Portuguese. (Offered in alternate years.)

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1 or PRT220Y1 or PRT120Y1 or Permission of the Department
Corequisite: PRT320Y1
Recommended Preparation: PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT356H1 - Topics in Portuguese Linguistics

Hours: 24S

A course on a specific topic in Portuguese linguistics, designed for advanced students. Course content and instructor are established on a yearly basis.

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1 or PRT220Y1 or PRT120Y1 or Permission of the Department
Corequisite: PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT358H1 - Topics in Portuguese Studies

Hours: 24L

In years when this course is offered, topics are described in detail on the departmental webpage. Students can enrol in this course multiple times, as long as the topic of the course is different. For any questions, please check with the department.

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1 or PRT220Y1 or PRT120Y1; PRT258H1; or Permission of the Department
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT364H1 - Portuguese Language in the World

Hours: 24L

An overview of the varieties of Portuguese spoken in four continents (Europe, South America, Africa, Asia) and a discussion of the structural similarities and differences between the two most extensively studied varieties: European and Brazilian Portuguese. Analysis of linguistic variation in contemporary Portuguese in terms of phonetics, syntax and lexicon. (Offered in alternate years.)

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1 or PRT120Y1 or PRT220Y1 or Permission of the Department
Recommended Preparation: PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT368H1 - Brazilian Indigenous Languages

Hours: 24L

Overview of linguistic diversity of Brazil, current practices in the maintenance and revitalization of languages and strategies for empowering indigenous peoples. Linguistic properties of Brazilian languages; introduction to language description by working on small data sets; discussion of the influence of Brazilian indigenous languages on Brazilian Portuguese. Taught in English. (Offered in alternate years.)

Prerequisite: Any 200-level course
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT398H0 - Research Excursions

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities

PRT398Y0 - Research Excursions

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities

PRT399Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

PRT420H1 - Advanced Academic Portuguese

Hours: 24L

A study of advanced aspects of formal Portuguese through reading and extensive writing practice, with an aim at developing skills necessary for academic and professional writing and oral presentations.

Prerequisite: PRT320Y1 or Placement test
Exclusion: PRT420Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT423H1 - Community Engaged Learning of Portuguese in Toronto and the GTA

Hours: 24L/12P

This course combines advanced language instruction with the richness and complexity of the Lusophone work experience in Toronto, promoting Community Engaged Learning (CEL) as a vehicle for greater linguistic fluency and cultural understanding. Students are placed with community organizations within the Greater Toronto Area and volunteer for 2 hours per week, furthering their language skills and their cultural knowledge. Class work focuses on developing students' communication skills through exposure to a range of topics, from financial, legal, medical to educational, and to an extensive variety of styles and registers in Portuguese. Therefore, students meet real needs in the community by applying knowledge from their Portuguese courses.

Prerequisite: PRT320Y1
Recommended Preparation: PRT420H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

PRT455H1 - Lusophone Cinema

Hours: 24L

Explores the films of Portuguese-speaking countries and iconic Angolan, Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Mozambican and Portuguese directors in the context of political and cultural national movements. (Offered in alternate years.)

Prerequisite: PRT258H1
Recommended Preparation: PRT320Y1, PRT420H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT458H1 - The Lusophone Short Story

Hours: 24S

Overview of the short story in the particular context of Portuguese-speaking countries. Examination of theories of the genre as they relate to short stories of Portuguese-speaking writers. (Offered in alternate years)

Prerequisite: PRT258H1
Recommended Preparation: PRT320Y1, PRT420H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

PRT470H1 - Acquisition of Portuguese as a Second Language

Hours: 24S

Invites critical reflection about the acquisition of Portuguese as a second language. Analyzes phonological, morphosyntactic, semantic and lexical aspects in the linguistic performance of bilingual speakers, and of learners of Portuguese as a second language. (Offered in alternate years)

Prerequisite: PRT219Y1/ PRT220Y1
Corequisite: PRT320Y1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

PRT490H1 - Independent Study

Individual study with a member of staff on a topic of common interest including readings, discussion and written assignments. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Prerequisite: PRT320Y1 and written approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
Distribution Requirements: Humanities

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