Contemporary Theoretical Debates
Code
73208105
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Sociologia
Credits
8
Weekly hours
2
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) To deepen knowledge and critical understanding of the Sociological theoretical and methodological framework, and apply it in diverse research settings;
b) To apply the Sociological theoretical framework to the formulation and analysis of relevant scientific problems and complex social facts;
c) To combine the theoretical and methodological knowledge to design innovative research projects;
d) To frame research problems in the scientific literature, identifying gaps and opportunities for theoretical or empirical development from the relevant and up to date social scientific literature;
e) To be able to argue and discuss critical claims about their research and that of others, including ethical and social implications;
f) To be able to integrate research problems in projects or collective research lines;
g) To be able to communicate orally and in writing, the theoretical claims and research problems, in a rigorous way.
Prerequisites
Subject matter
The syllabus is designed in order to address issues and debates always framed as cross-cutting issues and that have been present throughout the history of social science. For illustrative purposes, the classes will address topics such as:
1) ´Cohesion, integration and social differentiation´;
2) ´Rationality, autonomy and body surveillance;
3) ´Modern human condition, identity and self-expression´;
4) ´Conventions, social justice and recognition´
These issues, among others, are thought to enable the mobilization and dialogue between classical and
contemporary sociological scholarship.
Bibliography
- Alexander, Jeffrey, The Meanings of Social Life: A Cultural Sociology, Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Tilly, Charles, Trust and Rule, New York, Cambridge University Press, 2005.
- Martuccelli, Danilo, Sociologies et Modernité, Paris, Gallimard, 1999.
- Coleman, James, Foundations of Social Theory, Harvard University Press, 1994.
- Merton, Robert, On Theoretical Sociology: Five essays, Old and New, New York, The Free Press, 1967.
- Hughes, John A.; Sharrock, Wes W.; Martin, Peter J. (2003), Understanding Classical Sociology: Marx, Weber, Durkheim, 2nd edition, London: Sage.
- Sharrock, Wes W.; Hughes, John A.; Martin, Peter J. (2003), Understanding Modern Sociology, London: Sage.
- Turner, Jonathan H. (2013), Contemporary Sociological Theory, London: Sage.
- Patrick Baert, Silva, Filipe Carreira da (2010).Social Theory in the Twentieth Century and Beyond. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Teaching method
Plenary sessions ensured by the associated institutions that secure the lecturing work of the course, to discuss epistemological, theoretical and methodological problems;
Scheduled sessions secured by the associated institutions, open to all doctoral students, dealing with the
discussion of theoretical and methodological issues and specific research problems;
Presentation sessions of essays in progress on students research topics, secured by the associated institutions, and organized by groups that share thematic affinities or similar problems;
Tutorial monitoring and discussion, individually or in small groups, on the definition of research problems.
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment through analysis and discussion of the progress reports/essays submitted; skills of
argumentation in the discussion of the research project and essay; writing skills, reflection and theoretical
arguments included in the written essay.