2025
Economic Sociology
Name: Economic Sociology
Code: SOC02419L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Sociology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Intended learning outcomes:
a) identify both the strengths and the limits of classical and neo-classical economic approaches to the explanation of economic behavior;
b) construct more complex models when writing essays on economic phenomena (like the great inter-firms indebtedness, rate of informal economy, level of trust and cooperation, etc.);
c) differentiate the economic social, political and cultural foundations of economic decisions, taken by different actors (governments, firms, households etc.);
d) apply new sociological approaches in the assessment of social impacts of those decisions, in particular the government?s ones.
a) identify both the strengths and the limits of classical and neo-classical economic approaches to the explanation of economic behavior;
b) construct more complex models when writing essays on economic phenomena (like the great inter-firms indebtedness, rate of informal economy, level of trust and cooperation, etc.);
c) differentiate the economic social, political and cultural foundations of economic decisions, taken by different actors (governments, firms, households etc.);
d) apply new sociological approaches in the assessment of social impacts of those decisions, in particular the government?s ones.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter I - The Companies
1. Economic neo-institutionalism (theory of transaction costs and agency theory)
2. Sociological neo-institutionalism (impact of economic action in social structure)
3. Neo-institutionalism organizational
4. New organizational configurations (networks)
Chapter II - The markets
1. Sociological approaches markets
2. Labor Markets
3. Financial markets
4. Social meaning of money
Chapter III - Entrepreneurship and informal economy
1. Historical figures of entrepreneurship (Marx, Weber, Schumpeter)
2. Culture and entrepreneurship
3. Social capital, trust and economic performance
Chapter IV - Impacts of globalization on economic development
1. Globalization and national economic models
Chapter I - The Companies
1. Economic neo-institutionalism (theory of transaction costs and agency theory)
2. Sociological neo-institutionalism (impact of economic action in social structure)
3. Neo-institutionalism organizational
4. New organizational configurations (networks)
Chapter II - The markets
1. Sociological approaches markets
2. Labor Markets
3. Financial markets
4. Social meaning of money
Chapter III - Entrepreneurship and informal economy
1. Historical figures of entrepreneurship (Marx, Weber, Schumpeter)
2. Culture and entrepreneurship
3. Social capital, trust and economic performance
Chapter IV - Impacts of globalization on economic development
1. Globalization and national economic models
Teaching Methods
The teaching/learning methodologies are diversified and aligned with the theoretical-practical nature of the Curricular Unit (CU).
1. Interactive lectures (theoretical): Aimed at presenting concepts and theories, fostering active student participation through questions, brief debates, and contemporary examples.
2. Case study analysis (practical): Designed to expose students to real or simulated contexts, developing their critical analysis skills and understanding of the topics covered in the CU.
3. Group work (practical): Aimed at the collective production of reports, including oral presentations.
4. Debates and guided discussions (theoretical-practical): Focusing on CU themes, with the objective of developing critical thinking, argumentation skills, and sociological awareness.
5. Guided readings and classroom discussions (independent study): Covering classic and contemporary texts, case studies, and scientific articles, to develop skills in critical reading, synthesis, and theoretical application.
6. Class participation in conferences and other scientific events addressing the themes of the CU syllabus.
7. Formative assessment: Based on practical exercises regarding the taught material, providing feedback to monitor learning and guide students' study habits in preparation for the final assessment.
Moodle is an indispensable resource for implementing the pedagogical model, as its features enable diverse interactions between faculty and students, particularly regarding session organization, the provision of study materials and activities, and communication within the and with the lecturer.
1. Interactive lectures (theoretical): Aimed at presenting concepts and theories, fostering active student participation through questions, brief debates, and contemporary examples.
2. Case study analysis (practical): Designed to expose students to real or simulated contexts, developing their critical analysis skills and understanding of the topics covered in the CU.
3. Group work (practical): Aimed at the collective production of reports, including oral presentations.
4. Debates and guided discussions (theoretical-practical): Focusing on CU themes, with the objective of developing critical thinking, argumentation skills, and sociological awareness.
5. Guided readings and classroom discussions (independent study): Covering classic and contemporary texts, case studies, and scientific articles, to develop skills in critical reading, synthesis, and theoretical application.
6. Class participation in conferences and other scientific events addressing the themes of the CU syllabus.
7. Formative assessment: Based on practical exercises regarding the taught material, providing feedback to monitor learning and guide students' study habits in preparation for the final assessment.
Moodle is an indispensable resource for implementing the pedagogical model, as its features enable diverse interactions between faculty and students, particularly regarding session organization, the provision of study materials and activities, and communication within the and with the lecturer.
Assessment
Students have two assessment options (continuous and final) and must choose one of them.
1. Continuous assessment consists of:
- A written test (50%)
- A group assignment: Creation of a poster (25%) + Oral presentation (25%)
2. Final assessment consists of a written test/exam (100%)
To pass the course unit, the average grade obtained must be equal to or higher than 10.
With regard to attendance, except in situations provided for in the statutes, students must attend 75% of the classes actually taught (15 weeks) in order to be eligible for continuous assessment.
1. Continuous assessment consists of:
- A written test (50%)
- A group assignment: Creation of a poster (25%) + Oral presentation (25%)
2. Final assessment consists of a written test/exam (100%)
To pass the course unit, the average grade obtained must be equal to or higher than 10.
With regard to attendance, except in situations provided for in the statutes, students must attend 75% of the classes actually taught (15 weeks) in order to be eligible for continuous assessment.
Teaching Staff
- Maria Manuel Renga Capelão Serrano [responsible]
Accreditations and Certifications
