Class Introduction to Contemporary Thought

This course aims to develop students' ethical, professional and humanistic skills, as well as to strengthen their cross-cutting critical and reasoned analysis skills. To this end, it addresses contemporary social issues in the light of cultural and socio-cognitive paradigms, focusing on the ethical, scientific and human rights values that underpin global citizenship and the exercise of professions. The course unit frames these issues in a relationship between the State and international organisations (ON, UNESCO, IMF, ILO and WTO) , society and the business and accounting context, including regulatory and representative bodies of the profession. In this way, the course unit seeks to contribute to the articulation between professional practice in the areas of Accounting, Taxation and Auditing and the ethical, social and institutional dimensions that frame work activity, relationships and decision-making, from a humanistic perspective of social and professional responsibility.  

Not applicable

1. Culture and the origins of contemporary Western thought; 2. Ethics, morals and professional conduct; 3. Leadership structures, interpersonal relationships and scientific thinking; 4. Liberal and Marxist thought: the world system, fundamental rights, taxation and social welfare and labour policies in the areas of accounting, taxation and auditing; 5. The idea of globalisation, modernity, post-modernity and their crises: industrialisation, trade unionism, regulatory orders, cultural divisions, labourism, populism and developmentalism; 6. Political and economic thought and ideas in the 20th century: authoritarianism, world wars, the UN, human rights, democracy and the European Union; 7. The 21st century: Europe and the world - networks, global citizenship, social and institutional responsibility, Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); implications for the State, society and professional practice in accounting, taxation and auditing.

In this CU, teaching methods are used to facilitate learning objectives, ensuring the acquisition of skills. Specifically, each class uses: The dialogic method. The weekly session begins with students' reflections on the suggested basic reading list. After this dialogue, mediated by the teacher, the latter begins the expository part of the class, constantly asking questions to the class. The answers guide the progress of the class, indicating the possibility of moving forward or the need to go back for effective contextualisation and understanding of the main elements covered in the class; At the end of the class, contemporary problems will be presented, and students will be invited to explore them in light of the elements worked on in class, with a view to professional performance. When students are divided into groups, they will be asked to produce a short text, which will be shared in class and made available on Moodle.

Agamben, G. (2023). A Potência do Pensamento. Lisboa: Relógio d`Água. Amaral, D.F. (2011) História do Pensamento Político Ocidental. Coimbra: Almedina. Arent, H. (2017). Responsabilidade e Juízo. Lisboa: Dom Quixote. Bourdieu, P. (2021). O Poder Simbólico. Lisboa: Edições 70. Butler, J. (2023). Problema de Gênero: Feminismo e subversão da identidade. Rio de Janeiro: Civ. Brasileira. Ferro, P.R. (2012). Democracia Liberal. Coimbra: Almedina. Giddens, A. (2019). O mundo na era da globalização . (9ª ed.). Lisboa: Presença. Kilcullen, J (ed.) (2019). Medieval Political Philosophy. California: Stanford University Press. Sen, A. (2010). A Ideia de justiça. Coimbra: Almedina. Tavares, M. & Fiori, J. (2020). Desajuste Global e Modernização Conservadora. Rio de Janeiro: Paz e Terra. Wallerstein, I. & Medina, M. (2021). O Universalismo Europeu: a Retórica do Poder. São Paulo: Boitempo. Wellfort, F (2020). Os Clássicos da Política. vl 1 e 2. São Paulo: Ática.