2026
Science in Society
Name: Science in Society
Code: SOC10910D
8 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/224 hours
Scientific Area:
Sociologia e Ciências Sociais
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
This course aims to impart knowledge about one of the domains of sociology - the sociology of science -, to showcase the different aspects of scientific work in this area, to provide a comprehensive overview of the links between science and society and to build bridges with other disciplinary fields.
It also aims to deliver a theoretical framework for each syllabus item but also examples of empirical research cases in this field, to stimulate the interest of students in different themes and to provide tools for further autonomous research on them, to promote an understanding of the functioning of the Portuguese scientific system, to awake a reflection on the students' own scientific practice and to raise awareness of the importance of the engagement of researchers with their audiences.
It also aims to deliver a theoretical framework for each syllabus item but also examples of empirical research cases in this field, to stimulate the interest of students in different themes and to provide tools for further autonomous research on them, to promote an understanding of the functioning of the Portuguese scientific system, to awake a reflection on the students' own scientific practice and to raise awareness of the importance of the engagement of researchers with their audiences.
Contents
1. Introduction: the place of science in contemporary societies
2. The sociology of science: major authors and trends
3. Recent transformations of scientific activity: systems, practices, interactions
4. The organisation of science in Portugal: evolution and change
5. Technoscientific risks, local knowledge and citizen participation
6. From the public understanding of science to the public engagement with science
7. Scientific careers: vocations, barriers, opportunities
8. Internationalisation of science: networks, collaboration, mobility
9. Interdisciplinarity: strengths and challenges
10. The place of the social sciences in the production and dissemination of science
11. Intersections between science and other domains (environment, food, energy, health)
12. Science and art: the two cultures revisited
2. The sociology of science: major authors and trends
3. Recent transformations of scientific activity: systems, practices, interactions
4. The organisation of science in Portugal: evolution and change
5. Technoscientific risks, local knowledge and citizen participation
6. From the public understanding of science to the public engagement with science
7. Scientific careers: vocations, barriers, opportunities
8. Internationalisation of science: networks, collaboration, mobility
9. Interdisciplinarity: strengths and challenges
10. The place of the social sciences in the production and dissemination of science
11. Intersections between science and other domains (environment, food, energy, health)
12. Science and art: the two cultures revisited
Teaching Methods
All classes will be Theoretical and Practical: the teacher will lecture on the subject of the syllabus, followed by a period of discussion with students. The lecture will comprise a theoretical framework of the theme, with the presentation of key concepts and approaches, which will be complemented with illustrations of empirical research cases conducted on the topic. In each class, a key bibliographic reference (provided in the previous class, in order to allow students to undertake a prior reading) and a set of subsidiary references will be given. We will endeavor to steer the debate towards the areas of interest of the students (in which are developing their doctoral theses).
The evaluation will be sustained on participation and on a final written work, of about 20 pages, developed around one of the items on the syllabus. There will be tutorials for inquiries and preparation of assessments.
The evaluation will be sustained on participation and on a final written work, of about 20 pages, developed around one of the items on the syllabus. There will be tutorials for inquiries and preparation of assessments.
Accreditations and Certifications
