POWER AND AUTHORITY IN
NONWESTERN SOCIETIES
"POWER" AND
"AUTHORITY" AS A CULTURAL CONSTRUCT IN LATIN AMERICA:
BRAZIL AS A CASE STUDY
March 5
CONCEPTUALIZING
BRAZIL and "POPULAR CULTURE"
The distinction between popular and dominant cultures forms an important tool for understanding the relationship of power and authority. In this unit we will explore that distinction using a series of pivotal issues across three centuries of Luso-Brazilian history. The specific cases we will examine include examples of Afro-Brazilian religions in the 18th and 20th centuries; slavery in the 18th and 19th centuries; family relationships in the 18th century and popular music in the 20th. You are to hand in the exercise associated with Geography on March 12.
March 8
ISSUES
OF "POWER" AND "AUTHORITY" IN BRAZILIAN POPULAR CULTURE
An exploration of
popular culture in the context of power and authority.
March 10
CASE
STUDY OF POWER AND AUTHORITY IN THE PAST: AFRO-BRAZILIAN RELIGIONS IN
THE 18TH CENTURY: part 1
The saga of Luzia
Pinta will be used to examine the use of folk religions as a vehicle for
subverting the authority of church and state. Read and respond to the
question associated with the Inquisition
process against Luzia Pinta, freed African sorceress. Can be
used as quiz due April 2.
March 12
THE
NATURE OF SLAVERY IN BRAZIL: THE LIMITS OF POWER WITHOUT AUTHORITY: PART
I
March 15 through 21 Spring Break
March 22
THE NATURE
OF SLAVERY IN BRAZIL: THE LIMITS OF POWER WITHOUT AUTHORITY: PART II
Continuation of discussion.
March 24
THE
FUSING OF SLAVERY AND RELIGION IN CONTEMPORARY BRAZIL: THE CULT OF THE
BLESSED ANASTÁCIA
Exploration of the continuity of the popular culture in the contemporary context. Part 1 looks at the origins of the cult of the fictional slave woman.
March 26
THE
FAMILY AND THE STATE: A PORTUGUESE CASE OF PARENTAL AUTHORITY IN CONFLICT
WITH THE STATE.
Examination of a 19th century case in which a young woman seeks to marry someone without her father's permission. Poses critical issues of authority within the family and the relationship of the family to the state.
March 29 through
April 7
SAMBA TO TROPICALISMO:
POPULAR CULTURE IN THE AGE OF THE MILITARY parts 1 - 3
Explores the emergence of 20th century popular music using the choro, the samba and tropicalismo as examples of diverging attitudes toward popular culture. The choro and samba emerged from the favelas of Brazil while tropicalismo was the product of a cultural vanguard seeking to fuse world culture with traditional Brazilian music.
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT THREE DUE April 14
