Social Networks and Local Assistance

Recommended Prerequisites

Does not apply.

Teaching Methods

Classes are theoretical-practical, appealing strongly to the participation of students. The teacher proceeds to theoretical systematization and presentation of issues and themes of the program, promoting the debate about the bibliography. Classes encourage strong involvement of students, who are expected to submit materials and different types of problems for discussion in class, allowing the operationlization of theoretical issues.

Learning Outcomes

The course Redes Sociais e Acção Local presents the key concepts and theoretical and analytical models of network theory, discussing its importance for the construction of a interdisciplinary knowledge and a re-conceptualization of sociological theory. The course aims to articulate the theoretical discussion with a methodological approach, providing operational tools for understanding reticular social action and mapping social networks. It is intended that the course enables students to: a) know concepts and models of network theory; b) learn methodologies and analytical tools for mapping social and territorial networks; c) identify different types of networks; d) understand the reticular functioning of social actors.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The concept of network
1.1 Traditions and disciplines
1.2 From metaphor to theory: a "new science of networks "

2. Sociology and social networks
2.1 Simmel: the forms of social life
2.2 Barnes and Bott: the contribution of British Social Anthropology
2.3 Wellman: the structural analysis
2.4 Granovetter: the strength of weak ties
2.5 Castells: the network society
2.6 Latour: the actor-network theory

3. Social network analysis : methodology and applications
3.1 Methodologies to design networks
3.2 Properties of ties and properties of networks
3.3 Types of networks

4. New theories, old concepts
4.1 Community and Society
4.2 Trust and solidarity
4.3 Cohesion and integration

5. Social Networks and Social Capital
5.1 Bourdieu, Coleman, Putnam and Lin
5.2 A critical theory of social capital

6. Social Networks and Local Action: what makes networks move ?
6.1 Gift and interest
6.2 Autonomy and dependence
6.3 Participation, inclusion and exclusion
6.4 Familism, particularism and clientelism

Head Lecturer(s)

Sílvia Margarida Violante Portugal Correia

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Class participation and presentation of a group exercise (2/3 people): 25.0%
Synthesis work: 75.0%

Bibliography

CIDADANIA, políticas públicas e redes sociais. Org. Sílvia Portugal, Paulo Henrique Martins. Coimbra : Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2011. [BP 304 CID]

PORTUGAL, Sílvia - Contributos para uma discussão do conceito de rede na teoria sociológica. Coimbra : CES-FEUC, 2007. Oficinas do CES; n.º 271. [BP 316 POR]

SOCIAL capital : theory and research. Ed. Nan Lin, Karen Cook, Ronald S. Burt. New York : Aldine de Gruyter, 2001.

SOCIAL structures : a network approach. Ed. Barry Wellman, S.D. Berkowitz. Greenwich : JAI Press, 1997.

WASSERMAN, Stanley ; FAUST, Katherine - Social network analysis : methods and applications. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1995.

WATTS, Duncan J. - Six degrees : the science of a connected age. New York : W. W. Norton & Company, 2003.