Seminar in Methodology of Economics and Sociology

Year
2
Academic year
2018-2019
Code
03017687
Subject Area
Economics and Sociology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
15.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
3rd Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The unit is organized in seminar sessions, which include an initial presentation either by the lecturer in charge or by a student. This is followed by a discussion, open to all participants, on the topic of the session. Reading materials are made available online before the session. The discussion of methodological questions related to thesis projects is encouraged. The sessions will be complemented by individual meetings of the lecturer/professor in charge with students. The evaluation will be based on the attendance oral participation in sessions and on two presentations.

Learning Outcomes

Make students aware of the importance of methodological reflection; discussing a range of topics relevant to a better understanding of the nature of economics and sociology and contribute to a proper definition of robust, methodologically consistent economic and social research. In addition to the acquisition of fundamental knowledge in economic methodology and methodology of social sciences more generally, it is expected that students exercise the capacity for critical reflection, develop skills of research, analysis and synthesis, organization, planning, autonomous work, oral presentation and argumentation skills, in order to be able to produce original knowledge.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

- Problems, objects and methodological design of the research. What does it mean to inquire, to investigate, to know?

- The relationship between epistemological conceptions, theoretical positions and methodological orientations: the

“new” materialisms; pragmatist and phenomenological orientations; feminist studies; post-colonial and decolonal studies. Pluralism.

- Between philosophy and practice: the relevance and role of methodological reflection. The cases of Economics and Sociology.

- Field research in Social Studies of Science, Technology and Innovation.

- Research and/as intervention. Research as ontological politics. Research ethics and responsibility.

- Specialization and inter/transdisciplinarity.

- The discursive dimension of science. Quantitative and qualitative methods in research.

- The individual research projects of students: what about their methodological strategies?

 

Head Lecturer(s)

João Carlos Freitas Arriscado Nunes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 50.0%
Synthesis work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Becker, Howard S. (1998) Tricks of the Trade. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Faubion, James D.; Marcus, Geoge E. (eds.) (2009). Fieldwork Is Not What It Used to Be. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University

Press.

Kerstenetzky, Celia Lessa; Neves, Vítor (orgs.) (2012), Economia e interdisciplinaridade(s). Coimbra: Edições Almedina.

Law, John (2004) After Method. London: Routledge.

Passos, Eduardo; Kastrup, Virgínia; Escóssia, Liliana da (0rgs.) (2010) Pistas do Método da Cartografia. Porto Alegre:

Sulinas, 2010

Santos, Boaventura de Sousa; Meneses, Paula (orgs.) (2009) Epistemologias do Sul. Coimbra: CES/Almedina.