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Brazilians have been described as a deeply spiritual people with a penchant for the mystical and the supernatural. This one-credit course will examine this attitude, which pervades the society as a whole, independently of class, creed, or color. The course will also explore the roots of this complex fusion of religions combining traditions from its indigenous people, slaves brought from Africa, and in Kardec’s spiritism introduced to Brazil in the first decades of the 20th century. This religious syncretism has permeated the society and is now deeply ingrained in the psyche of Brazilians. The course is taught in English. No knowledge of Portuguese is required, but those who can read in Portuguese will have an opportunity to do so. Everyone will learn some Portuguese words and expressions. This class may be combined with AS.211.274 [Soccer in Brazil: opium of the masses] and AS.211.272 [Music at a Glance: History of Brazilian Music] to count toward the Minor in Portuguese.