Contemporary Portugal C1+

Recommended Prerequisites

N/a

Teaching Methods

Interactive methods: The teacher presents overviews of the topics, establishes working methods, provides bibliographical references and suggests research topics for the final report. Visual and, whenever possible, audiovisual resources will be used to present the materials and documents discussed in class. Students are encouraged to participate regularly and coherently in the discussion of topics. This is designed to test their interest in and their ability to understand the topics discussed, as well as their response to issues concerning a cultural context different from their own.

Learning Outcomes

This course will enable students to:

– Reinforce previously acquired knowledge about contemporary Portuguese history;

– Understand the main lines of Portugal's history in the last fifty years at the political, economic, social, demographic, cultural and ideological level;

– Recognize the more or less rapid changes which have ocurred in Portugal as well as the archaism of some structures;

– Compare different historical situations, by contrasting Portugal to their own countries.

At the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the contemporary reality of Portugal.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Decline and fall of the Estado Novo: Ambiguities and unsolved problems.

The revolution of 25 April 1974 and the establishment of a democratic regime: contradictions of the revolutionary process.

Evolution of the political scenario: parties, leaders and ideologies.

Decolonization: circumstances and consequences.

Portugal and the accession to the EC.

The economy: from nationalization to (re) privatization; structural issues; weaknesses and strengths; current economic relations.

Problems of Portuguese demography.

Social conditions in Portugal: class structure, standards of living, literacy, health care, social protection.

The cultural system: forms and patterns of culture; cultural changes; cultural policies.

Ideological transformations: tradition and modernity.

Portugal in the world: Portugal and the European Union; relations with the Portuguese-speaking world (CPLP); the challenges of globalization.

Conclusion: political, social, economic and financial problems in today’s Portugal.

Head Lecturer(s)

Sara Marisa da Graça Dias do Carmo Trindade

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment
Presentation of a research paper in class: 15.0%
Continuous assessment:: 35.0%
Research paper: 50.0%

Bibliography

Costa, Jorge et al., Os Donos de Portugal. Cem anos de poder económico (1910-2010). Porto: Afrontamento, 2010.

Mateus, Augusto (Coord.), 25 Anos de Portugal Europeu. A economia, a sociedade e os fundos estruturais. Lisboa: Fund. Francisco Manuel dos Santos, 2013.

Mattoso, José (Dir.), História de Portugal. Vol. XV: Portugal em transe (1974-1985). Rio de Mouro: Círculo de Leitores, 2002.

Pinto, António da Costa (Coord.), O fim do império português: a cena internacional, a guerra colonial e a descolonização. 1961-1975. Lisboa: Livros Horizonte, 2001.

Pinto, António da Costa (Coord.), Portugal Contemporâneo. Lisboa: Dom Quixote, 2005.

Rosa, Maria João Valente e Chitas, Paulo, Portugal: os Números. Lisboa: Fund. Francisco Manuel dos Santos, 2010.

Telo, António José, História Contemporânea de Portugal. Do 25 de Abril à actualidade. Lisboa: Presença 2007.