2013-05

Arizona State University
University Senate
Fall 2012

Senate Motion #2013-05

Motion Introduced by:         Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee
                                              Arnold Maltz, Chair
 
Date of First Reading:          September 17, 2012
 
Date of Second Reading:      October 8, 2012
 
Title of Motion:                    

Request from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - School of International Letters & Cultures - for the establishment of an undergraduate certificate in Brazilian Studies
 
Action Requested:

The Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee recommends University Senate approval of
a proposal submitted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences -School of International Letters
& Cultures for the establishment of an undergraduate certificate in Brazilian Studies

Rationale:

There is currently no degree program in Brazilian studies. This certificate represents a unique opportunity for students to study the language and culture of Brazil. 

Today, Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. As part of the BRIC constellation (Brazil, Russian, India, and China), Brazil is Latin America’s largest democracy and its financial leader. Because of the Mercosur Common Market, Brazil’s economy is integrated with that of other so-called Southern Cone countries, and there is now a project to expand the Market to include other countries in South America. From the cultural point of view, there have always been historically continuities between Spanish and Portuguese. Commercially, economically, and financially, Brazil and the Spanish-speaking countries are becoming increasingly integrated, as is the case with Spain and Portugal.  
 
An integral part of Brazilian studies at ASU is the summer program in Bahia, Brazil, which provides students with five weeks of immersion language training and direct contact with Brazilian society and its cultural manifestations.