Brazilian Cinema: The Wide Angle In this course we will focus on how Brazilian cinema, from the 1950s popular chanchada comedies onwards, has attempted to represent and give voice to subaltern social groups and subjectivities. The sertanejos and favelados, Indigenous and Black Brazilians, women and LGBTQ+, inmates and revolutionaries, are all in front of the lens, but often holding the camera as well. Films will be from different modes of production, ranging from mass production to independent. Analyses will be informed by readings on film theory and criticism, subalternity, queer theory, feminism, critical race theory, social analysis, and history. (PGSE 0215, or by approval) 3 hrs lect

Advanced Portuguese This course is a continuation of PGSE 0210. It is designed to balance textual and cultural analysis with a thorough review of grammar at an intermediate/high level. Students will hone their critical thinking and linguistic skills through guided readings, oral discussions, and short written assignments on Lusophone cultural topics.

Inventing Rio de Janeiro In this course we will analyze how Rio de Janeiro has been invented, following a historical arch that goes from the 19th to the 21st century. Taking as our basis the different spaces composing the city, we will examine how different neighborhoods, such as Lapa, Copacabana, or the Pequena África, have acquired specific identities as well as the personae that occupy these spaces, such as the malandro, and their modes of inhabiting and existing in them. Primary sources consist of films, songs, and literary works, by artists such as Carla Camurati, Chico Buarque, and Nei Lopes. Secondary sources are drawn from fields such as film and literary studies, history, or anthropology.

Food and Brazilian Film (in English) In this course we will analyze how Brazilian foodways are represented in Brazilian cinema. Issues we will be exploring include, but are not limited to, hunger, food scarcity and insecurity, or the Landless Workers’ movement. Throughout the course, we will also delve into the intersections of food making and consumption with social class, gender, and/or sex. We will also be discussing food film as a cinematic genre. Our approach will be interdisciplinary, drawing on critical and theoretical texts from food studies, film and literary studies, sociology, gender studies, and anthropology, by authors such as Josué de Castro, Arjun Appadurai, Pierre Bourdieu, or Carol J. Adams. Films analyzed include Garapa, Ilha das Flores, and Estômago, among others. Course taught in English.

Accelerated Beginning Portuguese This course is an intensive and fast-paced introduction to Portuguese, covering all of the basic structures and vocabulary as well as important aspects of the cultures of Lusophone countries. Within a cultural context, emphasis will be placed on active communication aimed at the development of comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are expected to continue with PGSE 0215, after successful completion of PGSE 0115 (formerly PGSE 0210). Open to all students.

With Flavor: Food and Brazilian Culture In this course we will focus on the food being produced and consumed in Brazil in its relation to Brazilian culture and history. Topics include how food and Brazilian culinary practices are related to certain aspects of Brazilian society, such as the Northeast’s landed oligarchy, Afro-Brazilian culture in Bahia, regional, national, and transnational identities, women and gender constructs, and the experience of hunger. Narratives (fictional, non-fictional, and theoretical) will be drawn from different media: printed and online texts as well as audio-visual materials, such as songs and popular music videos, films, TV series and cooking programs. The course will also entail preparation and degustation of Brazilian dishes.

Narratives from the Margins: Occupying Minds In this course we will investigate the narratives that marginal voices create in order to symbolically occupy a "space" in society. Taking, as our starting point, the concept of ocupação developed by the MST (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra), we will focus on marginal groups composing Brazilian society, such as landless workers, inmates, or faveladxs. We will also analyze literary and filmic texts that express dissident viewpoints in the 20th and 21st centuries as well as the contemporary scene. In conjunction with these texts, we will discuss an array of online articles that deal with analyzed authors and/or issues that serve as context and counterpoint to these narratives. Texts analyzed will include Tetê Moraes's and Paulo Sacramento's documentaries, MST's poetry and songs, inmates' literature, or Carolina Maria de Jesus's narratives.

Brazilian Cinema and Culture In this course we will analyze how Brazilian cinema has been approaching issues related to Brazilian society and culture since mid-twentieth century to the present. Issues may range from colonialism and neocolonialism, dictatorship and revolutionary movements, and the permanence of violence in the fabric of society, to gender identity and diverse sexualities, or race and racism. Throughout the course we will also learn about different movements, moments, aesthetics, and filmmakers, as well as how filmic genres are constructed in Brazilian cinema. Readings will be taken from film criticism and history, social and historical analysis, as well as from other theoretical frameworks, such as gender theory or critical race theory. Course taught in English.

Brazilian Cinema and Culture In this course we will analyze how Brazilian cinema has been approaching issues related to Brazilian society and culture since mid-twentieth century to the present. Issues may range from colonialism and neocolonialism, dictatorship and revolutionary movements, and the permanence of violence in the fabric of society, to gender identity and diverse sexualities, or race and racism. Throughout the course we will also learn about different movements, moments, aesthetics, and filmmakers, as well as how filmic genres are constructed in Brazilian cinema. Readings will be taken from film criticism and history, social and historical analysis, as well as from other theoretical frameworks, such as gender theory or critical race theory. (PGSE 0215) Course taught in English.

Intermediate Spanish This accelerated course is designed to review, reinforce, and consolidate the linguistic structures that students need in order to reach the intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. A grammar review will accompany intensive language acquisition, vocabulary expansion, readings, discussions, and compositions.

Fernando Rocha

Reviews and ratings for Fernando Rocha at Middlebury College.Fernando Rocha teaches Brazilian Cinema: Wide Angle, Advanced Portuguese, Inventing Rio de Janeiro and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Fernando Rocha good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Prof Rocha was very nice, I learned very fast due to his style of teaching. He always starts class with music and the atmosphere of the class is calming 100% of the time. He is very understanding and helpful when it comes to questions about class.

Professor Rocha was a good teacher and the class was fun. It was not very hard but people saw huge progress in their ability to speak the language over the course of the semester. I would recommend this class for people looking to try out a new language. 

I enjoyed this class and Professor Rocha's teaching. He was super sweet and fair. Homework came in the form of films that we had to watch, discussion posts and readings. There were 2 slightly larger assignments, both in groups of your choice. One was a 15 minute discussion that you lead based on readings and the other was a short film that you produced.