Curricular Unit:			Code:
Methodology of Social Sciences			1142MCSO
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Undergraduate	Political Science and International Relations	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Spring Semester		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
To promote knowledge and understanding at a level that, based on secondary knowledge, develops and deepens To develop the ability to understand the specifics of scientific knowledge in the social sciences, particularly the role of the method in the latter It will provide knowledge so that the student will be able to identify the different methodological approaches as well as the different tools for collecting and analyzing information Will promote the understanding of the applied nature of the knowledge produced by the SC
Syllabus:
1. Social Sciences: definition 1.1. The emergence of Social Sciences; the Enlightenment and the project of Modernity; the moral sciences JJ-Rousseau and A Comte) 2. knowledge 2.1. knowledge: different knowledge systems 2.2. Scientific knowledge: characteristics 2.2. 1. knowledge of common sense vs. knowledge of science (finding vs. finding + inquiry) 3. Scientific knowledge: Epistemology and the validation of knowledge 3.1.method: definition and centrality in science 3.2. Thomas Kuhn: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions 3.3. The Myth of Rationalism 4. Methodologies in Social Sciences 4.1. Qualitative methodologies vs quantitative methodologies 4.2. Types of Studies 4.3. Forms of data collection 4.3.1. sample types 4.3.2. Interviews vs questionnaires 4.4.Type of statistics 5. Relevant Theories and Methods in the Social Sciences - Analysis of Some Examples (Durkheim; Mauss; Bourdieu; Goffman; Becker; Foucault)
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The CU will aim to develop the capacity to understand the specificities of scientific knowledge in social sciences (points 1, 2, 3 and 4), particularly the role of the method in it (point 2 and 3); provide basic information on the tools of qualitative and quantitative approaches (points 4 and 5). Promote the understanding of the applied nature of the knowledge produced by the CS (point 6). Students should develop the ability to collect, select and interpret relevant information, particularly in their area of study, to enable them to base their solutions and the judgments they make, including in analyzing relevant scientific and ethical social aspects; develop skills that allow them to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions, both to specialists and non-specialists.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Teaching based on theoretical lectures of expository nature Written tests in order to test acquisition of knowledge, but in particular capacity for properly structured apprehension of the theories addressed - which should be reflected in an equally structured written elaboration 3 written tests (30% + 30% + 40 %). The evaluation will be based on the student's ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding, which should show a professional approach to the work developed in their vocational area.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The nature of the program is eminently theoretical which fits the type of class; the evaluation by means of written tests aims at the development of the capacities stated in the Objectives. Such a strategy of teaching / learning aims to develop in students the ability to solve problems within their area of study, and to constitute and substantiate their own argument.
Reading:
CAMPENHOUDT, L Van, (2003), Introdução à análise dos fenómenos sociais, Lisboa:Gradiva COUTINHO, C P (2013), Metodologia de Investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas. Almedina DOURADO, I P. (2018), Senso comum e Ciência, In Educar em Revista. 34(70):pp213-229 NUNES, Sedas Pedro, (1977), Questões preliminares sobre as ciências sociais, Lisboa: Edit Presença FRANCESCUTTI, P. (2019), La narración audiovisual como documento social e histórico, In EMPIRIA: Revista de Metodología de Ciencias Sociales, Vol 0, Iss 42, Pp137-161 HODDY, E T. (2019), Critical Realism in Empirical Research, In International Journal of Social Research Methodology, v22 n1 p111-124 MARCHIORO, P. (2017) Metodologia das ciências sociais ontem e hoje, In: Revista Latinoamericana de Metodología de la Investigación Social: ReLMIS, Nº. 13. MOHAJAN, H K. (2018), Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects.Journal of Economic Development, Environment & People., Vol. 7 (1), p23-48
Lecturer (* Responsible):
Paula Mota Santos (pmsantos@ufp.edu.pt)