Friday, April 22, 2011

Ao Redor do Mundo: Leituras em Português

Acaba de sair um livro que reúne textos de professores de português, estudantes e gente interessada no aprendizado da língua e da cultura lusófona, em geral. Para comprar ou simplesmente saber mais sobre o livro, clique aqui . O livro sai pela Atlantico Books, cuja dona, Elena Como, é apaixonada pela nossa cultura e nossa língua, aparentemente em todas as suas variantes.

A ideia é que o livro sirva como um reader  para alunos de português nos Estados Unidos e embora cada texto tenha um tom e um tema, a diversidade parece interessante, porque oferece várias formas de uso em sala de aula. Eu também contribuí com um texto, uma amostra de uma pesquisa que iniciei com uma bolsa, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies Library Scholar Summer Grant, em 2009, que me permitiu ficar um mês em Boston, acessando as coleções das bibliotecas de Harvard. O texto se chama “Homens de letras, mulheres de papel: a delicada relação entre escritores e leitoras no Brasil do século XIX”e,  embora o tema seja acadêmico, eu me esforcei para que a leitura fosse bem acessível .Espero ter acertado a mão. Mas há, como disse, narrativas de gêneros distintos e para diferentes gôstos.

Este é o segundo livro lançado pela Elena e eu espero que o trabalho possa se profissionalizar mais e mais, abrindo espaço para várias outras publicações.Quem ensina português por aqui sabe que a carência de material didático ainda é grande na nossa área. Um outro detalhe superlegal é que a capa do livro é de Anne Popiel, uma ex-aluna que além de línguas e arte, ainda navega por filosofia e dança. Confira!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

MA BRAZIL IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

The MA Brazil in Global Perspective is the first academic
programme to be developed by the King’s Brazil Institute. It
offers students a distinctive approach to understanding recent
changes in Brazil and the causes and impact of its social,
cultural, economic and political development. It includes
examination of issues such as industrialisation, urbanisation,
economic growth and globalisation; oscillation between military
and civilian rule; mass movements demanding a variety of civil,
political, and economic rights; complicated and contested
constitutional, legal and political reforms; and cultural and
social change.

The programme provides high quality postgraduate teaching and
research training for students wishing to specialise on Brazil,
either out of academic interest or as preparation for a career
related to Brazil. In addition to broadening and deepening
students’ understanding of modern Brazil, the programme
demonstrates the value of a variety of different theoretical
perspectives and research methods used in the analysis of the
country. The programme also allows students to study Brazil in
global and comparative perspective; on the one hand, it will be
possible to compare Brazil with the emerging powers China and
India, by taking modules offered by the China and India
Institutes; on the other, it will be possible to situate Brazil
within its regional context, by taking optional modules on Latin
America.

KEY PROGRAMME BENEFITS
The only programme of its kind in the UK.

An interdisciplinary perspective, allowing students to deepen
their understanding of Brazil in a range of subject areas.

A wide range of optional taught modules drawing on King’s-wide
expertise.

An opportunity to take modules offered by the China and India
Institutes.

A unique location in the heart of London. Students enjoy
excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities, unrivalled
access to library and archival resources, and easy access to
resources in Europe.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The MA Brazil in Global Perspective is a 12 month programme, and
may be taken full time over one year or part time over two years.
The programme consists of 180 credits: a 60 credit dissertation,
60 credits of taught core and compulsory modules, and 60 credits
of optional modules.

FURTHER INFORMATION
King’s Brazil Institute website:
King’s Graduate Prospectus:

CONTACT
Professor Anthony Pereira, King’s Brazil Institute, Strand,
London WC2R 2LS, Email: anthony.pereira@kcl.ac.uk

Source: BRASA (Brasilian Studies Association) Digest # 331, April 11 2011

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The war on the poor


“This is a moral issue; the budget is a moral document. We can take care of the deficit and rebuild our infrastructure and strengthen our safety net by reducing military spending and eliminating corporate subsidies and tax loopholes for the rich. Or we can sink further into debt and amoral individualism by demonizing and starving the poor. Which side are you on?”
Mark Bittman, Time’s magazine food columnist, food critic

I'm not religious; I have no faith, except in the human capacity of doing good and bad things. But I feel offended by those claiming to be Christians while at the same time attacking the poor! If I remember correctly from my times at church, Jesus Christ was about compassion and protecting the weak. Those, voting at the Congress to stop basic social benefits to the poor, should, at least, be ashamed of calling themselves Christians...They continue the revolting saga of eliminating the poor not the poverty.