Sociology of Development

Objectives

In this course is intended that the students acquire knowledge to recognize and be able to analyse the major debates about models of development and to identify and confront the development and social change that have permeated the Portuguese society.

Is expected that they achieve three interrelated goals:

1. To know how to identify the major theories concerning development, especially the descriptions and explanations related to the problem of underdevelopment;

2. That they problematize the issue of poverty and social exclusion as a result and a cause of the (sub)development and the development model of a country, linking these issues with the role of the state as engine of the (sub) development;

3. Efforts will be made to for the students acquire notions of the main axes of development and major social changes that cross the Portuguese society in recent decades, highlighting the current situation, referring, where possible, data relating to situation of the Azores.

Program

1. The Development

1.1. Globalization and Development

1.2. Theories and Development conditions

1.3. The central role of the State

2. Development of Portuguese society and social change (with reference to the Azores)

2.1. Where it came from and where it was Portugal: national key statistical indicators

2.2. Inequality and poverty in Portugal

Teaching Methodologies

They are used teacher-centered methods, in that students are offered summaries of the major developmental theories and aspects of socio-demographic and Portugal in the world, but also student-centered methods, considering that it is requested to intervene in class discussion and in the themes of the practical work/classes. They are also used auxiliary audio-visual methods of learning, namely the projection of slides using PowerPoint software.

In what regards the intervention of students in class, students are asked to submit their views regarding various parts of the matter and the are asked about this and encouraged to put questions and express their opinions. In the case of practical work, students are asked to gather in groups, define and present conclusions and discuss it in class.

They are also given to the students several texts, available in PDF on Moodle.

Moodle is also used for the display of scores, along with other things.

Bibliography

Barreto, António (dir.) (1996), A situação social em Portugal: 1960-1995, Lisboa, ICS/UNL.

Easterly, William (2002), The elusive quest for growth: economist’s adventures and misadventures in the tropics, Cambridge (M.), MIT Press.

Giddens, Anthony (1997), Sociologia, Lisboa, Gulbenkian.

Harford, Tim (2006), O Economista disfarçado, Lisboa, Presença.

Murteira, Mário (1990), Lições de Economia Política do Desenvolvimento, Lisboa, Presença.

Penouil, Marc (1979), Socio-économie du sous-développement, Paris, Dalloz.

Rodrigues, Carlos Alberto Farinha, (2007), Distribuição do rendimento, desigualdade e pobreza: Portugal nos anos 90, Coimbra, Almedina.

Sachs, Jeffrey (2006), O fim da pobreza: como consegui-lo na nossa geração, Cruz Quebrada, Casa das Letras.

Sorman, Guy (1988), A nova riqueza das nações, Lisboa, Difel.

Viegas, José Manuel Leite e Costa, António Firmino da (org.’s) (1998), Portugal, que Modernidade?, Lisboa, Celta.