Sociology of Social Classes and Mobility II

Code:

SOCI029

Acronym:

SCMOB2

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
SOCI	34	SOCI - Study Plan	2	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Analyze the main theoretical axes structuring the course.

Promote a self-reflexive posture on the «processes of class-making»

Understanding the new contributions of the theory of social classes.

Understanding the processes of (re) composition of the structure of occupational classes in Portuguese society (1960-2010).

Analyze the contributions from the Portuguese sociology to the empirical research on social classes.

Explore the analytic entanglements between social classes, modes of lifestyle, and other principles of social structuration (gender, generations, ethnicities).

Reflect critically on the views regarding the «death» and «ressurrection» of the concept of «classe» on the contemporary sociology

Learning outcomes and competences

Understanting the discipline's theories and paradigms and the application of these contributions  to the analysis of contemporary societies.

Reflexive use of occupational classifications, class typologies, and statistical indicators with relevance for the knowledge of the class-structure in Portugal

Aprehension of the construction processes and practical consequences that are associated with the conception and application of research instruments for the study of social classes.

In conclusion, it is intended that the student create competencies to articulate the theoretical knowldge through proposals for empirical research.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1.Ways of class-making
1.1 Popular representations, political mobilizations and sociological concepts
1.2 Elements of self-reflexivity.

2. The theory of social class before the contemporary societies: pluralism in the attempts to interpret the historical changes (Nicos Poulantzas, Erik Olin Wright, John Goldthorpe, David Grusky, Mike Savage).

3. Our case: academic universe and social changes in the Portuguese studies on social classes
3.1 A panoramic view on the sociology of classes in Portugal
3.2 Three capital works: João Ferreira de Almeida & José Madureira Pinto, Elísio Estanque & José Manuel Mendes, António Firmino da Costa
3.3 From products to the production: research instruments, occupational categories, statistical indicadors

4. A society on the move: Portugal, 1960-2010
4.1 The great transformation processes in Portugal during the last 50 years
4.2 The class-structure across the time: the temporal vector 
4.3 Classes on the ground: spational embeddedness, local orders and situated practices

5. Lifestyle modalities, «prismatic effects» and embodiment processes
5.1 Lifestyles and consumption seen through the class «lens»
5.2 Gender, ethnicities and generations: coordinates for the multiple intersections between structuration principles
5.3 Classes under the skin: trajectories, somatization and practical sense

6. «Death» and «ressurrection» of a concept: from the «end of clss» to a new research agenda for the 21st. century

Mandatory literature

Barreto, António 340; A^situação social em Portugal. ISBN: 972-671-043-X vol. 1
COSTA, A. F. da; “Classes sociais na Europa”, Sociologia – Problemas e Práticas, nº 34, 2000
Estanque, E.; A Classe Média: ascensão e declínio, FFMS, 2012
Estanque, Elísio Guerreiro do; Classes e desigualdades sociais em Portugal. ISBN: 972-36-0440-X
Magalhães, Dulce Maria; Vinhos. ISBN: 987-972-36-1097-0
Poulantzas, Nicos; Les classes sociales dans le capitalisme aujourd.hui. ISBN: 2-02-004441-2
Rose, David 340; Social class in Europe. ISBN: 978-0-415-45801-6
Wright, Erik Olin; Classe crise e o Estado
Viegas, José Manuel Leite 340; Portugal, que modernidade?. ISBN: 972-8027-90-7
VV; Classificação nacional das Profissões/94, INE, 1994
VV; Classificação Portuguesa das Profissões/10, INE, 2011

Teaching methods and learning activities

Various teaching methods. TP classes: the professor develops the theoretical programme with empirical illustrations, stimulating the  participation of students in their discussion. OT classes: development of tutorial activities, which include: classification of individuals in accordance with the studied theoretical proposals; analyze of the research instruments used in the studied reserach programmes; operationalization by the studentes of occupational classifications; reflexive discussion on the vicissitudes of the field research. The professor supports the students in understanding the tools used for collecting information, on their practical application treatment and in their analytical interpretation. The professor introduces, explains and supports the study of statistical indicators about the  Portuguese occupational classification. The teacher provides, in the Sigarra interface, information on bibliography, abstracts, teaching materials and information on the office hours.

keywords

Social sciences > Sociology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	78,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho de investigação	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Distributed evaluation with final exam: the final exam and final report.

It is a condition for success in the course: i) the presence of 75% of theoretical and practical sessions and tutorials (cf. Art 9 of the Rules of assessment applicable to courses 1st Cycle - "Attendance and obtaining frequency"), ii) presentation of all elements of assessment (see assessment components) and iii) obtain 8 values, at least in each of the components that comprise the assessment - written examination and report to and work within the tutorial sessions.

Calculation formula of final grade

Calculation of final grade:

Written exam - 70%

Final report - 30%

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who, under the law, are exempted from class attendance are required to contact the teacher at the beginning of the period of operation of the subject, for the purpose of establishing its procedures for assessing knowledge.

Classification improvement

The student may apply for improving the classification. It is possible to apply for the improvement of the final classification only through the examination component. The final ranking reflects the weighted average of the highest ratings achieved in all assessment components.
Students can improve their classification in the two seasons of examination that immediately follow the one in which they were approved. Students who wish to undertake the improvement of classification in the year next to the one in which they obtained approval for the course ,will have to follow to programme and the evaluation methods prevailing in the academic year in which they undergo the classification improvement.

Observations

The supplementary season includes performing a new final exam and / or tutorial work, to deliver in a date do be stipulated by the teacher. The final score will be calculated by keeping strictly the same conditions used for approval in the course (regular season), including the values for all components shown in the calculation of the final grade.

Throughout the semester the professor provides supplementary bibliography, related with the lessons' summaries.

The office hours with the studentes can be scheduled through the e-mail or personally.

Contacts: bmonteiro@letras.up.pt