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Portuguese

The intercollegiate Portuguese program is a collaboration between Pitzer College and Claremont McKenna College

students learn how to play bongos

About this Program

  • We emphasize a community-based approach to language teaching and learning, a feature that distinguishes our program within The Claremont Colleges and nationally. 
  • We believe language is a social practice. You'll learn Portuguese through interacting with communities of speakers. 
  • You'll have plenty of opportunities for on–campus language practice. Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Pomona Colleges all offer Portuguese lunch tables throughout the academic year. 
  • As a Portuguese minor, you will have the opportunity to experience cultural immersion and earn academic credits through our summer study abroad program in Salvador da Bahia. Semester-long options for study abroad also include São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. 
Start Your Application Request Information

At a Glance

Degree Awarded

  • Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Program Type

Area of Study

Portuguese and Our Values

Pitzer’s core values are woven throughout all our academic programs. Learn how our Portuguese program specifically addresses the value of intercultural understanding.

Intercultural Understanding

Immersing yourself in another culture is essential to language acquisition. Take part in our unique summer study abroad experience in Salvador da Bahia. Explore this capital of the African Diaspora alongside our community partner, the Instituto Cultural Steve Biko.

Pitzer's Brazil Summer Program
53% Study Abroad Participation

More than half of Pitzer students study abroad for a semester or more.

Explore Study Abroad Programs
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Resources

students practice speaking portuguese together at the fletcher jones language lab.

Fletcher Jones Languages and Cultures Resource Center

The Fletcher Jones Languages and Cultures Resource Center is a unique space dedicated to supporting in–person and virtual language and culture learning as well as intercultural exchange among local and international students and members of our extended community.

Fletcher Jones Language Lab
a brazilian dancer performs at the grove house's outdoor classroom space

On-Campus Cultural Enrichment

Immerse yourself in Brazilian culture through on–campus cultural activities planned throughout the year. Recents events included workshops dedicated to Brazilian music, capoeira, and samba. 

Our Fulbright Teaching Fellows

Pitzer hosts an on-campus Brazilian Fulbright Teaching Fellow each academic year. Teaching Fellows tutor Portuguese language students, give lectures, and plan on-campus cultural immersion activities for the Pitzer community.

Meet Our Fulbright Teaching Fellows
fulbright teaching assistant thais guerra poses in front of a body of water.
"The coolest thing about living and teaching at Pitzer was relearning our language/culture through the eyes of the students and through the contrast with other cultures."

Thais Guerra

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

2015-2016 Fulbright Language Teaching Fellow

Portuguese Program Details

View Course Catalog

What You Will Learn

  • How to participate with confidence in a community of speakers of the language.
  • How to understand and identify differences in socio-cultural contexts and their social implications.
  • How to explain the importance of appreciating the complexity of the human experience across cultures.
  • Citizenship skills and increased self-awareness and personal growth. 
  • How to examine the rights and responsibilities shared by the interconnected members of a community.
  • How to identify your own personal strengths, limits, goals, fears, or prejudices as they relate to interacting with members of a community of speakers.
  • How to explain the connections between personal, interpersonal, community, and socio-political transformation.
  • The value of knowing another language and understanding how to become a life-long learner.
  • The importance of extending the use of the language outside the university boundaries to develop personal relationships and explore new social spaces.

Learn More

Visit the Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Field Group page for more information and resources. 

Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Field Group
Next:
  • 6 credits
  • Two semesters of PORT35
  • Immersion experience abroad or as determined with adviser.
  • 1 course focused on the history and cultures of Brazil and/or the Lusophone speaking world.
View Course Catalog

Our Faculty

portrait of juanity aristizaba

Juanita Aristizábal

  • Professor of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
  • Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Field Group
fely catan portrait

Fély Catan

  • Assistant Professor of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
  • Modern Laguages, Literatures and Cultures Field Group
Portrait of professor Juliana Fillies

Juliana Fillies

  • CMC Faculty, Assistant Professor of Spanish and Portuguese
potrait of professor norman valencia

Norman Valencia

  • CMC Faculty, Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese

Contact Us

portrait of juanity aristizaba
Juanita Aristizábal
  • Professor of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
  • Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Field Group

(909) 607-4014

Scott 200A

Contact Professor

Office of Admission

(909) 621-8129

Pitzer Hall, 1st Floor

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