Discovering Portugal

Tues., July 7-Aug.11, 10-11:30 a.m.

Location: Online

Cost: $70

With Alison Roberts, Journalist

Explore how a tiny nation – Portugal – played an outsized role in world history. We will examine Portugal’s 15th and 16th century maritime expansion (once called the “Discoveries”), as well as its central role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. We will trace how Portugal, once a fringe region of the Roman Empire, emerged as the only independent kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula as Castile grew into Spain. We will follow Portugal’s rise as a global power, with outposts stretching from Brazil to Japan, and then its decline as rival empires overtook it – culminating in 20th century poverty under Europe’s longest dictatorship. Finally, we will consider how this past continues to shape Portuguese identity and culture in the decades since a revolution ushered in democracy. As we survey Portugal’s landscapes, art and architecture, and food, we will see why record numbers of Americans are now visiting the country.

This class is open to OLLI members only.

See more summer Osher Online classes!

This Osher Online class will NOT be recorded for future viewing.

Registration opens for OLLI members on May 27. Non-members may register starting May 29.