Portuguese Studies at the University of Minnesota
The Portuguese program at the University of Minnesota was founded in 1966 by Professor Russell Hamilton (now emeritus), and it is one of the few programs in the nation that emphasizes the historical and cultural interconnections that have shaped the development of the Portuguese-speaking world, in its parts and as a whole, particularly through the experience of colonialism and slavery that are at the root of modernity. In addition, the program uniquely stresses gender, sexuality, and critical race perspectives to the study of culture.
The Program in Portuguese Studies at the University of Minnesota offers courses in language (all levels) and culture (including literature, film, popular music, history, and critical theory), emphasizing the whole of the Portuguese-speaking world: Portugal, Brazil, Lusophone Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe), and Timor. Degree programs include: a dual undergraduate major in Spanish & Portuguese, an undergraduate minor in Portuguese, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Lusophone Studies.
Portuguese, the language uniting more than 200 million speakers, is spoken in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor. It is also the language of several immigrant communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Venezuela, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and China.
Opportunities for employment within the United States include translation and interpretation, international business and marketing, international relations, diplomacy, publishing and teaching.
Meet our Portuguese Instructors
Links to Portuguese Media Websites
Questions regarding our Undergraduate Program
Questions regarding our Graduate Program