Introduction to Contemporary Thought

Presentation

This course has as its object the great currents / paradigms of Contemporary Thought, critically evaluated and articulated in the historical-cultural context of Sociology. It also seeks to develop and deepen knowledge already acquired by the student in other stages of their schooling, with special attention to current social, economic and political challenges.

Part of this Programme

Sociology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

2 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT45-117

Recommended complementary curricular units

Contemporary Sociological Theories.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

 The syllabus questions   the nature of contemporary thought, with particular focus on the way it is conceptualized in the major contemporary ideologies,  such as Enlightenment, Liberalism, Socialism and Conservatism. It also allows analyzing  some contemporary political problems, such as freedom of choice, xenophobia, security, inequalities, social, economic, political and cultural exclusions, migration, global change, war conflicts, minority rights (sexual, religious, racial, ethnic), nationalism, refugees, the aging population, urban planning and urbanization, terrorism. Finally, it stresses the importance of unconscious thinking in the description of social practice.

Objectives

At the end of the course unit students should: 1. know some of the most important currents of contemporary thought 2. Apply theoretical knowledge to social problems. 3. Analyze critically the different contemporary theories.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Theoretical-practical classes with the presentation of programmatic contents through audiovisual means (PowerPoint), and excerpts from texts of the bibliography. Theoretical-practical classes will be organized according to thematic contents according to the program, with the direct involvement of students through oral presentations, followed by discussion. In addition to other practical work, group work, text analysis and discussion, presentations are an integral part of the final evaluation.

The assessment is continuous and requires:
1. An Oral presentation (40%).
2. A writen test (50%).
3. Class participation (10%).
 Students who obtain a grade lower than 9.5 in the continuous assessment must take the final exam.

References

[1] Elias, Norbert. O Processo Civilizacional. Lisboa: D. Quixote. 1939. ISBN / 9789722026659

[2] Fukyama, F.  Depois dos Conservadores. A América na Encruzilhada. Lisboa: Gradiva. 2006.ISBN 978-989-616-148-4

[3] Freud, S.  Psicopatologia da Vida Quotidiana (Trad. José Marinho). Lisboa: Estúdios Cor. S/data. ISBN. 978972708118

[4] Giddens, A. O Mundo na Era da Globalização. Barcarena: Editorial Presença. 1999. ISBN 9789722325738  

[5] Kant, I. Resposta à Pergunta: O que é o Iluminismo? In A Paz Perpétua e Outros Opúsculos (pp.11-19). Lisboa: Edições 70 (original publicado em 1784). ISBN: 972440539-7 

[6] Marx, K. Os Manuscritos Económico-Filosóficos. A construção hegeliana da Fenomenologia. Teses sobre Feuerbach de Feurbach. Porto: Brasília Editora.  1971. 

[7] Merquior, J. G. (1983). O Argumento Liberal. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Nova Fronteira. 1983.

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