Department of Portuguese

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Dário Borim (chair) Portuguese language and Brazilian cultural discourse

Anna Klobucka Portuguese and Lusophone African literatures

Christopher Larkosh Lusophone cultures, comparative literature, and theories of translation

Victor Mendes Portuguese literature, critical theory

Gláucida V Silva Portuguese linguistics, Portuguese language pedagogy

Frank Sousa 19th and 20th century Portuguese and Brazilian fiction

Carlos Almeida Cape Verdean Creole and Culture, Portuguese language

Affiliated Faculty

Primary Departments

Baum, Michael
Political Science

Holloway, Memory
Art History

Mehrtens, Cristina
History

Klimt, Andrea
Sociology and Anthropology

Rodrigues, Isabel
Sociology and Anthropology

Walker, Timothy
History

The Department of Portuguese at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in collaboration with the Departments of Art History, History, Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology, offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Portuguese Studies. The MA in Portuguese Studies gives graduates an in-depth understanding of literary and cultural history of Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world within a broad, interdisciplinary context of humanities and social sciences. Curricular offerings are complemented by a varied agenda of activities and publications sponsored by the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, including frequent guest lectures and state-of-the-art colloquia, the Portuguese-American Archives, and an international, peer-reviewed academic journal, Portuguese Literary and Cultural Studies, among others.

The majority of core and elective courses comprising the MA curriculum are taught in the Department of Portuguese, in the disciplinary area of literary and cultural studies of the Portuguese-speaking world, with particular emphasis on modern Portugal. These courses are offered in Portuguese. Students may also take courses related to the Portuguese-speaking world that are taught in English in the departments of Art History, History, Political Science, and Sociology/Anthropology. In addition to regular curricular offerings, students take seminar-level courses taught by a rotating pool of distinguished visiting scholars, in residence at UMass Dartmouth as holders of the Hélio and Amélia Pedroso/Luso-American Foundation Endowed Chair in Portuguese Studies. Graduate courses are also offered during the summer, in conjunction with the Summer Program in Portuguese.

The flexible, non-specialized program of study for the MA is suitable both for students who terminate their academic career at the Master’s level and for those who plan to pursue the PhD. To the terminal MA student it affords the breadth of knowledge required for teaching. Portuguese in secondary schools and community and junior colleges, as well as to succeed professionally in a wide range of employment opportunities available in our region, nationally and internationally. To the potential doctoral candidate it provides the general foundation necessary for subsequent specialization. The distinct needs and objectives of the two groups are addressed through the choice of two end assessment options: comprehensive exams based on a reading list (recommended for terminal MA candidates) or a two-tiered MA Research Project (recommended for students continuing to the PhD). Details are given below.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the required application materials to the Graduate Office, with the following additional considerations:
Applicants who do not hold a BA degree in Portuguese (or “Licenciatura”) will be considered on the basis of a BA or BS degree in another discipline and demonstrated oral and written competence in Portuguese. All applicants demonstrate written competence by submitting a written sample (a 10-page personal essay or a course paper in Portuguese are acceptable examples). Oral competence will be demonstrated in the course of an interview conducted by the Graduate Studies Committee (in person or by phone).
The Department of Portuguese does not require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for admission to the MA, but candidates may strengthen their applications by submitting GRE scores. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required from all international students whose native language is not English. The minimum TOEFL score is 500 (173, computer-based test) for admission and 550 (213 on computer-based test) for award of a teaching assistantship.
The required Personal Statement is to be written in English.
Three confidential letters of recommendation from professors or other senior professionals well acquainted with the candidate’s qualifications are required.
For current admission and financial assistance information, see www.umassd.edu/portgrad.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Portuguese and the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture award a limited number of Teaching and Research Assistantships (which include a waiver of tuition and partial fees) for the academic year. They are awarded on a competitive basis. The selection of candidates is based on academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, the GRE scores and, if applicable, the TOEFL scores. Other assistance, such as loans or work-study, may be available. Please consult the chapter on “Expenses and Financial Assistance.”

Contacts

Dr Victor J Mendes
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Portuguese
508 999-8338
vmendes@umassd.edu

Dr Dario Borim
Chair, Department of Portuguese
508 910-6609
dborim@umassd.edu

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300