Social Classes and Social Structures - 1st semester
Code
711081001
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Sociologia
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
José Manuel Resende
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) To know and to understand the fundamental sociological concepts regarding class social structuring, both through classical and contemporary sociological perspectives;
b) Ability to use these concepts in the analysis and problematisation of the modern world´s (and, specifically, Portugal´s) structures and inequalities so as to lead to empirical research possibilities;
c) Competence to use these concepts in the production of scientifically consistent argumentation on the modern world´s structures and inequalities;
d) Ability to display and communicate accurately sociological theory as well as the results of the developed analysis and problematisation;
e) Ability to reflect on the ordinary and scientific meanings of structures, rapports, social objects and actions and their applicability in the analysis of contemporary societies.
Prerequisites
The frequency of the Curricular Unit Introdução à Sociologia: Fundamentos e recommended.
Subject matter
1. From the constitution of Modernity to the autonomisation of the issue and the problematisation of social inequalities
2. From the political, social and economical revolutions to the acknowledgment of the autonomy of social explanations
3. General introduction to the issue of inequality
4. The theoretical formulations of Marx and Weber
5. Contemporary reformulations of class theories
6. Justice, classes and social inequalities
Bibliography
Bourdieu, P. (1979), La Distinction: critique sociale du jugement. Paris: Minuit.
Estanque, E. & MENDES, J.M. (1997). Classes e desigualdades sociais em Portugal: Um estudo comparativo. Porto: Afrontamento.
Giddens, A. (1975). A Estrutura de classes das sociedades avançadas. Rio de Janeiro: Zahar.
Hall, J. R. (ed) (1997). Reworking class. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Marshall, G., Switf, A. & Roberts, S. (2002). Against the odds. Social class and social justice in industrial societies. Oxford: Clarendon.
Marx, K. & Engels, F. (1976), A ideologia alemã, I. Lisboa: Presença.
Queirós, M.C. (2005). Classes, identidades e transformações sociais: Para ler as evoluções da estrutura social portuguesa. Porto: Campo das Letras.
Thompson, E.P. (1988). La formation de la classe ouvrière anglaise. Paris: Gallimard e Seuil.
Weber, M. (1984). Economía y sociedad. Ciudad de México: Fondo de Cultura Económica.
Wesolowski, W. (1977). Classes, estratos e poder. Amadora: Novo Curso.
Teaching method
Theoretical classes present the contents articulating them with socially recognized issues and problems.
Lectures in the syllabus topics feed on issues worked upon by national and foreign research on this area: classes, structures and social inequalities, aiming at questioning rather than at socially produced truths, and motivating the audience to put questions along the lectured problematic axes.
Practical classes consist of the discussion of papers, scenarios, charts and images, which contribute to the development of theoretical and methodological questioning.
Evaluation method
Continuous evaluation of students´ participation in practical classes (15%); one literature-based oral presentation in practical class (15%); one written review essay on syllabus readings (20%); one written text in class on the whole syllabus matters (50%).