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Political Science Theories

Code 15738
Year 1
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 6
Workload OT(15H)/TP(30H)
Scientific area Ciência Política
Entry requirements None
Learning outcomes This CU aims, on the one hand, to highlight the pluralism and scope of the main empirical theories that contributed to the development of political science and to sensitize students to a critical reflection on the conceptual, theoretical and methodological frameworks, on the other hand, that structure the analysis and research in the field of political science. Namely:

1. Identifying the object of study, the methodological pluralism and the theoretical development suited to the research structure;
2. Articulating the main empirical theories and analysis models;
3. Analyzing the critical empirical conjunctures and understanding their theoretical framework in view of the potential, limits and suitability in the scope of research;
4. Applying theoretical assumptions to concrete research projects;
5. Questioning the theoretical formulation and future contributions to political science.
Syllabus Part 1. FROM CONCEPTUALIZATION TO THEORY
1.1. The scientific study of politics - the role of political theory in the context of political science
1.2. Conceptualization - concepts and operationalization of concepts, state of the art and theoretical framework
1.3. Contributions to theoretical development - thematic areas of political science, methodological pluralism, research structure

Part 2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK - origins, developments and contributions
2.1. Behaviorism
2.2. Structuralism
2.3. Functionalism
2.4. Systemic analysis
2.5. Rational choice analysis
2.6. Institutionalism
2.7. Constructivism

Part 3. PROBLEMATIZATION AND FUTURE
3.1. Knowledge structures, interdisciplinarity and complementarity in the production of knowledge in political science
3.2. Epistemology and method - postmodernist currents
3.3. New spaces of politicization and challenges for political theory (fragmentation, specialization and hybridization)
Main Bibliography Almond, Gabriel A. (1966). Political Theory and Political Science. American Political Science Review, 60(4), 869-79.
Dryzek, J. S., Honig, B. & Phillips, A. The Oxford Handbook of Political Science.
Gaus, Gerald F., Kukatas, Ch. (2004). Handbook of Political Theory, London: Sage.
Maltez, J. A. (2007). Metodologias da Ciência Política, Lisboa: ISCSP.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria The teaching methodologies applied are intended to systematize and consolidate the lerning outcomes, contributing to the acquisition and sharing of knowledge - through expository and participatory classes (15%), recommended readings, oral presentations of scientific texts and draft papers (35%) and written work (50%).

Continuous assessment (normal):
Participation and demonstration of recommended readings: 15%
Oral presentations: 35%
Final paper: 60%
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2023-12-30

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