Introduction to Social Sciences

Code:

1EC103

Acronym:

ICS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Social Science

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Secção Autónoma de Ciências Sociais
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Economics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LECO	340	Bologna Syllabus since 2012	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This is an introductory course to the ways in which the social sciences approach social and economic reality, and produce knowledge about that reality. The specific objective of this unit is to provide an overview of the economic approach to the main contemporary social problems, and to motivate the students to the need and benefits of interdisciplinary cooperation, namely between economics and sociology.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for an informed and critical reflection on some of the major themes of today's world (on a global, European and Portuguese scale), starting with economic science and exploring its relationship with other social sciences, especially with sociology.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

None.

Program

1. How do economists relate with other social sciences?

1.1. The differentiation of the social sciences.

1.2. What is Economics? Different perspectives, different definitions.

1.3. The development of a profession of economists - international trends and the Portuguese case.

1.4. Economics and interdisciplinary dialogues.

2. What is the economic approach to the main problems of the 21st century?

2.1. Globalization and the world system.

2.2. Knowledge economics, technology and network society: social reconfigurations and inequalities.

2.3. Human development and sustainability.

Mandatory literature

UNDP; Human Development Report 2019

Comments from the literature

Mandatory literature will be available in classes.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course includes lectures and empirical applications.

keywords

Social sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	123,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Minimum final score = 10/20, with a minimum score of 7/20 in each test.

Calculation formula of final grade

Distributed evaluation without final exam: Test1*50% + Test2* 50%.
Final exam only: 100%.

NB: Distributed evaluation without final exam requires the participation in the Program of Visits to Industrial Companies (1^st year, students enrolled in FEP as first-time students).