Contemporary Sociological Themes

Objectives

a) Integrated understanding of the use of concepts, theories and sociological research methodologies, learned in other courses, for the sociological reflection on real life issues; b) Ability to problematize and analyse topics and real-life situations, using relevant theoretical perspectives; c) Ability to use the aforementioned problematization and analysis to sociologically conceive the research objects; d) Ability to communicate the theoretical and methodological construction of research objects in an accurate and meaningful way.

General characterization

Code

711081061

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

José Alberto de Vasconcelos Simões

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Have completed a minimum of 48 ECTS credits

Bibliography

Bachelard, G. (2005), A formação do espírito científico. Contribuição para uma psicanálise do conhecimento. Rio de Janeiro: Contraponto (1ª ed. original 1938).
Bourdieu, P., Chamboredon, J.-C. e Passeron, J.-C. (1999), A profissão de sociólogo. Petrópolis: Vozes.
Bryman, A. (2012, 4ª ed.), Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gilbert, N. (org.), Researching Social Life. Londres: Sage, 3ª ed.
King, G., Keohane, R. e Verba, S. (1994), Designing Social Enquiry: Scientific inference in qualitative research. Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. 34-74.
Merton, R. K. (1970), Sociologia: teoria e estrutura. São Paulo: Editora Mestre Jou (ed. orig. 1967).

Teaching method

Classes are divided into theoretical and practical sessions. The latter consist of: participation in carrying out practical tasks, including presentation sessions and discussion of group work; discussion sessions with external guests; and guided discussion sessions supported by the viewing of documentaries

Evaluation method

Evaluation Methodologies - a) Participation and involvement of the student in the activities to be carried out in practical classes, namely: in the discussion of practical work (including the presentation and discussion of the progress report of the research work and the final essay); in discussion sessions with external guests; and in guided discussion sessions of documentaries(20%), b) A written test(30%), c) Progress Report (written document, delimiting the theme of empirical research and preliminary bibliographic survey) d) Final written essay (including thematic delimitation, bibliographic research and research problem) (20%+30%)(50%)

Subject matter

1. The relationship between sociological theory and the construction of research objects
1.1. Sociological theory and problematization of social reality
1.2. Questioning and construction of research objects

2. Analysis of concrete themes of contemporary society
2.1. Presentation and explanation of the problematization and theoretical analysis used in the construction of sociological research objects
2.2. Presentation and discussion of reports, films and / or documentaries on topics relevant to the knowledge of contemporary society

3. Contemporary sociological themes in debate: presentation of the work carried out by the students on the construction of the research object

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: