The School of Social Sciences (FGV/CPDOC) and the American University held, on May 28 and 30, the lecture series An Overview on Brazilian History, Politics and Current Challenges - which will address topics such as Brazil's economic history, development and environment, urban studies, sport and society, social inequality and Brazilian politics.The presentations will be followed by debates in English, with the goal of making the discussions available also to exchange students and foreign researchers. The American University also financed the arrival of a group of master degree students of the institution to participate in lectures and conduct a series of field visits in Brazil.A panorama of Brazil todayOpening the event, on Wednesday, Professor Bernardo Buarque de Hollanda (CPDOC) will talk about sport and society in Brazil. Bernardo holds a Ph.D. in Social History of Culture and he wrote the books O clube como vontade e representação: o jornalismo esportivo e a formação das torcidas organizadas de futebol do Rio de Janeiro? (The club as will and representation: sports journalism and the formation of Rio de Janeiro's organized soccer supporting groups) and ?O descobrimento do futebol: modernismo, regionalismo e paixão esportiva em José Lins do Rego? (The discovery of soccer: Modernism, regionalism and sporting passion in José Lins do Rego).The next day, Professor André Villela (FGV/EPGE- Brazilian School of Economics) will talk about the Brazilian economic history. André holds a Ph.D. in Economic History and he is co-editor and co-author of the book Economia Brasileira Contemporânea (1945-2010)? (Contemporary Brazilian Economy (1945-2010)), winner of the 2005 Jabuti Award. Then, CPDOC's Professor Mariana Cavalcanti will present the field of urban studies in Brazil. Mariana has a PhD in Anthropology, coordinates CPDOC's Oral History program and studies social inequality and urban planning. She also co-directed the documentary film Favela Fabril. On the last day of the event three lectures will be held with professors Fernando Lattman-Weltman (CPDOC), Eve Bratman (American University), Rômulo Sampaio (FGV DIREITO RIO) and Flávio Carvalhaes (CPDOC). Fernando, who has a doctorate in political science and conducts research on media and politics, democratic theory, political institutions and social and political thought, will make an introduction to Brazilian politics. He is CPDOC's research coordinator and sub-coordinator of the Thematic part of updating the Historical-Biographical Brazilian Dictionary (DHBB).Eve Bratman and Rômulo Sampaio will talk about the environment and rural development in Brazil. Eve became a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil (2007) and has concentrated her studies in environmental policy, agriculture and human rights. Rômulo holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Law and he is responsible for FGV's Graduate course in Public Law and Regulation.Finally, Flávio Carvalhaes will discuss inequality studies. Flávio has a Ph.D. in Sociology from IESP/UERJ and he is a postdoctoral fellow at CPDOC. He has experience in the Social Stratification and Inequality areas, with a focus on life cycle, social inequality, social differences in health, educational stratification, social classes, race relations, and quantitative methodology.The event is open to the public and no simultaneous translation will be available.The lectures will take place at FGV's main offices, in Rio de Janeiro.Please click below and learn more.http://cpdoc.fgv.br/noticias/eventos/28052014.