Curricular Unit:			Code:
Introduction to Law and Political Science			777IDCP
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Undergraduate	Political Science and International Relations	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
The student should be able to: a) Acquire knowledge and capacity for understanding Law and Political Science at a level that, going beyond basic knowledge, develops and deepens it, with reference to te advanced level learning materials on the concepts of law, political institutions of government and political regimes; b) Apply knowledge professionally, in the theoretical, ethical and applied dimensions specific to law and political science; c) Solve problems in Law and Political Science, through argumented analysis and synthesis; d) Be able to search for and manage sources of information and documentation; e) Develop oral and written communication skills, to present ideas to audiences with different levels of expertise; f) Acquire interpersonal and self-critical skills, enabling her/his autonomous lifelong learning.
Syllabus:
1. Introduction to Law: The notion of law. The characteristics of legal standards. Divisions and branches of law. Classification of legal rules and legal subjects. The sources of law. The protection of rights. The implementation, interpretation and integration of legal norms. The legal systems (comparative law). 2. Political Science: Political Institutions: the State; political systems of government and regimes. Public policies. State-Society relations: party and electoral systems; civil society interest groups. Democracy.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
Unit Introduction to Law: The discipline is integrates several theoretical-practical units. Description: Presentation of legal phenomena related to rules governing the legal relations of the individual in society. Objectives: This unit aims to introduce students to the main information on legal relations in their various legal facets. It aims to promote critical reflection on institutional mechanisms and its practical results. Tutorial: Optional, for consolidation and learning. Description: Monitorization of the progress of each individual student. Objectives: Supervision aims to support independent student work, research and information organization. Political Science Unit: The presentation of formal political institutions (notably the state) and of state-society relations (party and electoral systems, interest groups) in a democratic context covers the general conceptual guidelines and topics of the discipline, in order to meet the above mentioned learning objectives.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Lectures & tutorials aiming at involving the students in the teaching-learning process. The Law unit will have one individual work. The Political Science unit will have one test. Intermediate tests/assignments aim at assessing learning outcomes - the dimension of the class groups and the fact that there is one session a week are the reason for this option.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
Law Unit: Theoretical expositions; Presentation and handling of the legislation; Discussion of cases; Practical exercises. Master key legal techniques to interpret the legal texts; Analysis of some diplomas, namely the Portuguese Constitution and foreign laws. The Political Science unit is based on compact lectures on basic structuring concepts of the discipline with a follow up of tutorial sessions (analysis and discussion of materials, problem solving questions) The methodology adopted aims at fostering the students' interest and involvement with the topic. The tests aim at producing reliable indicators of learning outcomes.
Reading:
Unidade de Direito: Baptista Machado, J., Introdução ao direito e ao discurso legitimador, Coimbra, Almedina, 2018. Oliveira Ascensão, J. De, O direito : introdução e teoria geral: uma perspectiva luso-brasileira, Coimbra, Almedina, 2017. Harris, P., An Introduction to Law, C.U.P, 2007. Castro Mendes, J. De, Introdução ao estudo do direito, Lisboa, Rei dos Livros, 2011. Unidade de Ciência Política: Fernandes, A.J., Introdução à Ciência Política. Teorias, Métodos e Temáticas, Porto, Porto Ed., 2015. Garner, R., Ferdinand, P. & Lawson, S., Introduction to Politics, Oxford, O.U.P., 2016. Heywood, A., Political Ideologies: an Introduction, London, Palgrave, 2017. Pasquino, G., Curso de Ciência Política, Principia, Cascais, 2010. Political Studies (B-On)