Portuguese program FAQs
- What specialization does the Portuguese Program at Indiana University offer?
The Portuguese Program offers specialization in the literatures and cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries.
- Is it possible to choose between studying literature or linguistics?
No. Students from the Portuguese Program do not have the option to specialize only in Portuguese linguistics.
- How many classes do students take each semester?
Students usually take 3 courses each semester (3 credit hours each). These classes may include disciplines in the Portuguese Program, the students’ secondary field, and their minor field.
- Are courses taught in Portuguese?
Most courses offered by the Portuguese Program are taught in Portuguese. Most courses offered by the Spanish Program are taught in Spanish. Courses in the minor fields outside the department are taught in English or in the language of the department where they are offered.
- Is it necessary to speak Spanish in order to be admitted to the Graduate Portuguese Program?
Yes. Our graduate students are also teaching assistants, and their teaching assignments include not only Portuguese courses, but also Spanish language courses.
- Which courses do graduate students from the Portuguese Program usually teach?
Students teach beginning (HISP-P100; HISP-P135; HISP-P150) and intermediate (HISP-P200; HISP-P250) Portuguese courses. Advanced PhD students in Portuguese often have the opportunity to teach a third-year undergraduate Portuguese course (either HISP-P311: Advanced Grammar and Composition, or HISP-P317: Reading and Conversation in Portuguese), while working closely with a faculty mentor. Furthermore, students also teach Spanish courses at the beginning and intermediate levels.
- Do graduate students from the Portuguese Program teach in the summer?
Students may apply every year, but summer teaching is competitive, and selections are made based both on seniority and merit.
- Is it necessary to write a Master’s thesis and a Ph.D. Dissertation?
A Master’s thesis is optional. The Ph.D. dissertation, on the other hand, is mandatory.
- Is it possible to write a Master’s thesis instead of taking the M.A. Final exams?
No. Writing an M.A. thesis does not replace the written and oral M.A. final exam requirements.
- Can I pursue a Ph.D. minor?
Graduate students working on their Ph.D. in Portuguese may complete a Ph.D. minor in the department (either in Spanish Linguistics, or Spanish or Latin American Literature) or outside the department, in areas such as Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, African American and African Diaspora Studies, Comparative Literature, Gender Studies, and Film Studies, among others. Portuguese graduate students also complement their coursework on literature with classes in a secondary area, usually Spanish or Spanish American literature.
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