Contemporary Sociological Themes - 1st semester
Code
711081061
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Sociologia
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Maria Margarida Marques
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
1. Integrated understanding of the use of concepts, theories and sociological research methodologies, learned in other disciplines, for the sociological reflexion on real life topics;
2. Ability to problematize and analyze topics and real life situations, using relevant theoretical perspectives;
3. Ability to use the aforementioned problematization and analysis to sociologically conceive the research objects;
4. Ability to rigorously and significantly communicate the theoretical and methodological construction of research objects.
Prerequisites
To have accomplished a minimum of 48 ECTS credits
Subject matter
1. The relation between sociological theory and the construction of research objects
1.1. Sociological theory and problematization of social reality
1.2. Problematization and construction of research objects
2. Generalization and inference
3. Analysis of concrete topics of contemporary societies
3.1. Presentation and explanation of the problematization and the theoretical analysis used in ongoing research by invited researchers
3.2. Presentation and discussion of professional experiences of sociologists working in private and public organizations
3.3. Guided discussion of contemporary social topics explored by the media
3.4. Presentation of the problematization and the theoretical analysis used in the construction of research objects by the students themselves
4. Analysis of a reference sociological research
Bibliography
Bachelard, Gaston, A noção de obstáculo epistemológico. Plano da obra in A formação do espírito científico. Contribuição para uma psicanálise do conhecimento, Rio de Janeiro: Contraponto, 2005, pp. 17-28
Bourdieu, Pierre, Jean-Claude Chamboredon e Jean-Claude Passeron, \"A construção do objecto\" in Ofício de Sociólogo: metodologia da pesquisa na sociologia, Petrópolis: Vozes, 2004, pp. 45-72.
Gilbert, Nigel (org.), Researching Social Life, Londres: Sage, 2008 (3ª ed.), pp. 21-40; 43-62; 63-79.
King, G., Keohane, R.O. & Verba, S (1994). Designing social enquiry: Scientific inference in qualitative research. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994, pp. 34-74.
Merton, R.K. (1970). Sociologia: Teoria e estrutura. São Paulo: Mestre Jou (Cap: \"Influência da teoria sociológica sobre a pesquica empírica\", pp. 153-170; \"Influência da pesquisa empírica sobre a teoria sociológica\", pp. 171-187).
Uma obra de investigação empírica de referência (a escolher anualmente).
Teaching method
Some classes are based on lectures and others on active class discussions. The latter consist in texts discussions; discussions with invited sociologists (researchers and other professionals working in private and public organizations); sessions of guided discussions of documentaries; and oral presentations and discussions of the students´ essays based on literature review and problematization on relevant research topics.
In class teaching.
Evaluation method
Evaluation and weighting for the final grade include: the student´s participation in class discussions (20%); one test in class (30%); presentation and discussion in class of a relevant topic of empirical research (20%); and a short essay including literature review and problematization on the topic chosen by the student to be delivered by the end of the semester (30%).