Class Introduction to Social Sciences

This curricular unit introduces students to academic work from multiple and interdisciplinary perspectives. In this context, the UC seeks to promote knowledge of the different paradigms, approaches, and theoretical concepts used in studies in the field of Social Sciences with the aim of developing in students a solid base of knowledge that allows them to identify and understand the different social phenomena of contemporary times, framing them in the context of Social Education.

1. The emergence and development of the social sciences:

• The social sciences: nature, object, and evolution
• Founders: Auguste Comte; Karl Marx; Émile Durkheim; Max Weber
• Paradigms in the Social Sciences
• Social Sciences in Portugal 

2. Research methodology Social Sciences:

• From common sense to problematization
• Social Sciences Research
• Method, techniques, concepts, and sociodemographic variables

3. The contemporary global world:

• Globalization, economic growth, and sustainable development
• The West, multiculturalism, ethnicity and migration
• Major social problems of the 21st century

4. Ethics, society, and work

• The social need for ethics.
• Ethics and morality as a social construct
• Ethics applied to Social Education (Code of Ethics)

The context of innovation in the UC Introduction to Social Sciences favors the use of active methodology, placing the student at the center of the learning process. The aim is for the student to internalize the information gathered autonomously in conjunction with the information provided by the teacher. The sharing of knowledge between students is also encouraged through debate and the presentation of well-founded opinions in class, helping to enhance students' critical thinking.

Barata, Ó. (2004). Introdução às ciências sociais (Vol. 1). Bertrand

Berger, P., & Luckmann, T. (1999). A construção social da realidade. Dinalivro

Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford University Press

Carvalho, A. D. (2016). Ciências sociais e humanas, ciências da educação e filosofia da educação: achegas para uma leitura cruzada. EccoS – Revista Científica, (41), 255–232.

Giddens, A. (2000). Sociologia (9.ª Ed.). Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Pinto, J. M. (1997). Propostas para o ensino das ciências sociais (2ªed). Afrontamento

Sousa Santos, B. (2003). Um discurso sobre as ciências (14.ª ed.). Edições Afrontamento
Wallerstein. I. et al (1996). Para abrir as ciências sociais. Relatório da Comissão Gulbenkian (p.15-54). Publicações Europa-América