WORKING Portuguese
Working Portuguese ™ provides insight
to the Brazilian business world and equips participants with a solid
ability to communicate orally in Portuguese in the everyday work world
wherever Portuguese is spoken.
This elective course follows an unusual schedule. Working Portuguese™ begins in January of a student's First Year, includes an in-country immersion in May, and does not end until the conclusion of MOD II of the student's Second Year. First Year KFBS students should be aware that registering for the course in January automatically registers you for each of the 4 MODs. Second Year MBA students may be allowed to register for just the first half of the course, but only on a space available basis.
Working Portuguese™ with the immersion provides 4.5 of academic credit towards the KFBS MBA degree: 3.0 credits for the units and 1.5 credits for the immersion. Students taking Working Portuguese for credit receive grades of H (high pass), P (pass), L (low pass), and F (fail).
Under certain circumstances participation in the immersion may be waived for individual students, for example if the student is also participating in an exchange or a Global Business Project in Brazil. Please discuss your situation with the professor at the beginning of the course. Generally, students must complete all 4 MODs as well as the immersion in order to receive credit for the course.
In-Country Immersion
The in-country immersion is held in Brazil during mid to late May and usually lasts 10 days. The immersion
gives Working Portuguese participants a chance to practice what they have
learned, in context. Classroom sessions and debriefs are given daily to orient the students on their
activities around town, provide information and discussion on business-related topics. During the immersion,
participants are given a "Mission (im)possible" — a series of tasks to accomplish individually or in small groups around town on their own and on organized excursions. The immersion also includes company visits, some sight-seeing, and a community service project.
Previous Working Portuguese immersions included stops in Sao Paolo, Curitiba and Rio.
Course Materials
The course textbooks and accompanying CDs are exclusively produced by the UNC CIBER. They will be available at the first workshop of each semester. Students will also make extensive use of an internet classroom found on UNC's Blackboard.
Technology Requirements
IBM compatible or Apple computer with built-in capacity to play MP3 files
Internet access (MAC operating system 10.2 or better, Internet Explorer 5.2 or better or Netscape 4.78 or better)
Speakers
A microphone (either built in or attached)
Course Fees
Instructional fees
covered by tuition for UNC MBA students; UNC faculty/staff and undergraduate students may be allowed to enroll on a
space-available basis (please contact
or
for further information)
Materials
$125 nonrefundable fee for materials and special activities is due
at the beginning of each semester
Immersion fees (not including airfare)
Brazil 2009, $1,900 (estimate)
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CIBER