Questions in Contemporary Sociological Theory I

Code:

MSOCI011

Acronym:

QTSC1

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Sociology
Course/CS Responsible:	Masters in Sociology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MSOCI	30	MSOCI - Study Plan	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Knowledge of the main theoretical issues of sociological thought;
Depth analysis of the new sociological theories about the contemporary;
Understanding of the dynamics of globalization and recent theoretical proposals for its analysis;
Apprehend the contemporary social inequalities;
Knowledge of the debates about work and employment in contemporary societies.

Learning outcomes and competences

Problematize sociological thinking;
Analyze and mobilize new sociological theories about the contemporary;
Problematize globalization theory and social inequalities;
Equating the theoretical debates on contemporary societies;
Communication skills, oral and written;
Ability to work independently and in a team;
Critical ability to search, selection and analysis of information;
Learning ability, innovation and creativity.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction: The diversity of sociological theory
2. Social change: theories on contemporary societies
3. Dynamics of globalization and capitalism
4. Societies and inequalities
5. Crisis of contemporary societies? Debates and controversies

Mandatory literature

MILES, Steven ; Social theory in the real world, London, Sage, 2001
COSTA, A.F. ; Desigualdades Sociais Contemporâneas, Mundos Sociais, 2012
BECK, Ulrich, LASH, Scott, GIDDENS, Anthony ; Modernização reflexiva: política, tradição e estética no mundo moderno, Oeiras: Celta Editora, 2000
FERNANDES, António Teixeira ; Monotonia Democrática e Diluição das Regulações Sociais, Porto, Afrontamento, 2006
RITZER, George ; Modern Sociological Theory, (7ª edition), New-York, MacGrawhill, 2008
ESPING-ANDERSEN, G. ; Fundamentos sociales de las economías postindustriales, Barcelona, Ariel., 2000
CASTELLS, Manuel ; A era da informação: economia, sociedade e cultura, Vol. I, Lisboa, FCG , 2001
MARTELL, L.; The Sociology of Globalization, Polity, 2010
DOOGAN, K.; New Capitalism?, Polity, 2009
INGLEHART, R. ; Changing Values among Western Publics from 1970 to 2006. West European Politics, Vol. 31, p. 130–146, NY, 2008
BECK, U.; La sociedad del riesgo global, Siglo XXI, 2006
ELLIOT, A.; Contemporary theory : an introduction, Taylor & Francis, 2009

Teaching methods and learning activities

There are several teaching methodologies. Theorical-practical sessions – lecturing and discussion with students in the classroom about the topics of syllabus with the use of demonstrative examples. Tutorial sessions -  presentation and discussion by students, organized in small groups, texts and case studies previously selected and appointed by the teacher. Another activities - support students in research information and literature;  supervision of individual work. The teacher publishes in SIGARRA / FLUP a developed summary for each topic of the syllabus with specific indications about the contents and bibliography. In SIGARRA / FLUP is available bibliography of some of the required reading.

Software

Não se aplica
Não se aplica

keywords

Social sciences > Sociology > Macrosociology
Social sciences > Sociology > Macrosociology
Social sciences > Sociology > Social changes
Social sciences > Sociology > Social changes

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	25,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	77,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho de investigação	31,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

 Written and oral exam, if required. Individual thematic written report. Class attendance and work developed in tutorial supervision sessions . Students are required to complete all assessment components, regardless of student status.

Calculation formula of final grade

Weighting of each assessment component towards the final mark for the course unit: . Written and oral exam, if required - 50% . Individual thematic written report - 35%; . Attendance (theoretical-practical classes and tutorial supervision sessions) and work developed in tutorial supervision sessions - 15%

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who are legally exempt from class attendance are required to contact the lecturer as soon as classes start in order to establish the corresponding assessment procedures.