Contemporary Social Theory

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Presentation and discussion of texts in class. Tutorial sessions held in small groups with presentation and discussion of texts by the students.

Learning Outcomes

This course is an introduction to some crutial themes in sociological theory and social theory since the beginning of the second half of the XX century.

 Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the skills to:

- Be able to interpret texts of social theory and discuss their potentialities to explain contemporary society;

- To understand the scope of contemporary social theories and sociological theories, contextualizing them and relating them;

- Construct, from the theories studied, arguments applied to the Portuguese and European reality;

- Evaluate to what extent each of the theories studied becomes relevant to face problems and challenges;

- Be able to discuss concepts and topics related to theories with peers.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. What do social theory and sociological theories serve?

2. Relational sociology and pragmatism;

3. Social institutions: family, power and discipline;

4. Agency, power and social structure;

5. Communication and public sphere;

6. Theories and practices on consumption.

Head Lecturer(s)

António Manuel Carvalho Casimiro Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Periodic or by final exam as given in the course information : 100.0%

Bibliography

— Beck, U. Giddens, A. Lash, S. (2000) Modernização Reflexiva: Política, Tradição e Estética no Mundo Moderno, Oeiras, Celta.

— Bourdieu, P. (1989) “Espaço Social e Espaço Simbólico” in Razões Práticas: sobre a Teoria da Acção, Brasil, São Paulo, Papirus Editora.

— Butler, J. (2004) Undoing Gender, New York and London, Routledge.

— Calhoun, C. (2007) Contemporary Sociological Theory, London, Blackwell.

— Fletcher, R. (1971). The making of Sociology, London, Nelson's University Paperbacks.

— Foucault,  M. (1977) Vigiar e Punir. História da Violência das Prisões, Petrópolis, Vozes

— Goffman, E. (1992)  Manicómios, Prisões e Conventos, São Paulo, Perspectiva.

— Baert, Patrick; Silva, Filipe Carreira da (2014) Teoria Social Contemporânea. Lisboa, Mundos Sociais.

— Costa, António Firmino da (2012) Desigualdades sociais contemporâneas. Lisboa: Mundos Sociais.