Political Sociology
Code
711071034
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Estudos Políticos
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Pedro Tavares de Almeida
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Português e Inglês
Objectives
The course aims to give students an understanding of the major analytical traditions, conceptual innovations, and themes researched in the field of political sociology.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
The nature and scope of the discipline: theoretical perspectives, methodological strategies, and fields of study. Some key political concepts. Modernization and political development: the emergence of competitive mass politics. The social determinants of political life: types of cleavage structures. Democratization processes and the prerequisites to democratic consolidation. Consensus and conflict. Citizen politics and elections. The political consequences of electoral laws. Voting behaviour: explanatory theories. Bureaucracy, political parties and democracy. The comparative study of political elites.
Bibliography
Almeida, P. Tavares de, A. Costa Pinto & N. Bermeo, dir. (2012), QUEM GOVERNA A EUROPA DO SUL?, 2ª ed., Lisboa, Imprensa de Ciências Sociais. [English version: WHO GOVERNS SOUTHERN EUROPE?, 2nd. ed., London & New York, Routledge, 2012].
Eisenstadt, Shmuel N. (2007), MÚLTIPLAS MODERNIDADES, Lisboa, Livros Horizonte.
Lipset, S.M., CONSENSUS AND CONFLICT: ESSAYS IN POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY, New Brunswick, NJ, Transaction Publishers, 1990 [Edição portuguesa: CONSENSO E CONFLITO, Lisboa, Gradiva, 1992]
Nohlen, Dieter (2007), OS SISTEMAS ELEITORAIS: O CONTEXTO FAZ A DIFERENÇA, Lisboa, Livros Horizonte.
Weber, Max (2005; 1919), A política como vocação (Politik als Beruf), in Max Weber, TRÊS TIPOS DE PODER E OUTROS ESCRITOS, Lisboa, Tribuna da História, pp. 63-115.
Teaching method
Lectures introducing the major themes of the course (60%), and presentation and discussion of assigned readings by students (40%).
Evaluation method
One examination test, written in the classroom, at the end of the term. Students may also enroll for a final examination, in order to improve their marks. Active participation in the classes is taken into account for the final marks.