This course articulates theoretical frameworks produced by sociology and their application in studies, analysis and intervention in social reality in order to understand the social changes in modern societies. It will be done a brief contextualization of sociology as a discipline (themes, objectives, distinction between social problems and sociological problems and ethical issues of the practical exercise) and the outline of a project in the sense of sociological imagination suggested by Wright Mills, request by relevant systemic issues. Several perspectives will be presented about the dynamic relationship between theoretical knowledge and knowledge practical and methodological to do a reflection and discussion of issues arising from the practical exercise (e.g. the outline of an object of study, the diagnose and plan of an research, options methodological and data collection procedures). The dimensions of the professional activities of sociologists and the deontological code of ethics, the professional opportunities and the role of national and international professional associations, will also be focused in this course.
Sociology and society Sociological research and knowledge Sociology of Practice Sociological Imagination
Articulate production of sociological knowledge and action, distinguishing the fields of research and sociological intervention
Distinguish social problems of sociological problems.
Knowing how to define an object of study.
Identify and understand the expressions and dynamic characteristics in modern societies,
Reflect critically on the challenges facing modern societies in relation to social inequalities
Distinguish what are the professional activities of sociologists.
Understand what is the sociological planning and reflection on the exercise of the practice.
1. Sociology and society.
2. Sociological knowledge and public intervention.
3. The practice of Sociology: themes, objectives, differentiating between social problem and sociological problem.
4. Delineation of an object of study, diagnosis and planning of an investigation.
5. Methodological options and data collection procedures. The scientific way to achieve data.
6. Practical application of knowledge: development of an example.
7. Sociology as profession: what is being a sociologist.
8. Professional goals.
9. Code of ethical questions of the practical exercise.
10. National and International Sociological Associations
Bourdieu, Pierre (2002). Esboço de uma teoria da prática. Oeiras: Celta Editora.
Bourdieu, Pierre (2003 [1984]). Questões de Sociologia. Lisboa: Fim de Século.
Costa, António Firmino (2007) “Os desafios da teoria da prática à construção da sociologia” in Pinto, José Madureira & Pereira, Virgílio Borges (Orgs.) . Pierre Bourdieu. A teoria da prática e a construção da sociologia. Porto: Edições Afrontamento. Pp. 15-29
Magano, Olga (2014). Tracejar vidas “normais”. Estudo qualitativo sobre a integração dos ciganos em Portugal. Lisboa: Editora Mundos Sociais.
Paugam, Serge (2008). La pratique de la sociologie. Paris: PUF
Note: in the virtual classroom will be indicated resources specific to each topic and provided the basic texts of work.
Continuous assessment is privileged: 2 or 3 digital written documents (e-folios) during the semester (40%) and a
presence-based final exam (p-folio) in the end of the semester (60%). In due time, students can alternatively choose to perform one
final presence-based exam (100%).
Students registered in this course should enter in the Moodle Platform: http://www.moodle.univ-ab.pt/moodle/, in the virtual classroom e-learning
