Accreditations
The Master's in Labour, Employment and Society (previously entitled Master in Labour Studies and Labour Relations) lasts two years, corresponding to a total of 120 credits (ECTS). Classes are generally scheduled for the evenings.
The curricular structure in the first semester of the first year is organised around the core disciplines of labour sciences and labour relations, namely Sociology and Economics of Work and Labour Law. The UC "Contemporary
Social Inequalities" serves to place the central issues of work, employment and labour relations in the context of the wider society.
In the first semester there is still room for a free elective. Several electives in the field of Human Resources Management or Organisational Psychology are recommended as options for students wishing to have an introduction or reinforce their training in these fields. Sociology electives are also recommended, especially for students who are more interested in social research. For students who have no previous training in the social sciences, we recommend taking the supplementary course "Social Research Methods and Techniques".
In the second semester of the first year, the compulsory courses in the fields of labour relations and labour law are topical and comparative. This offering is reinforced by the course in the field of social protection. Attendance of electives in the field of employment and training policies is strongly recommended. Also compulsory in the second semester is attendance of the course "Research Design", in which students may prepare a first version of their dissertation project.
The first semester of the second year is dedicated to taking two electives. One of the electives will necessarily be selected from Specialised Research Techniques (SRT), in order to support the completion of the dissertation. There is the possibility of an internship as an elective.
A Seminar is held throughout the second year to provide guidance and accompany the completion of the Dissertation or final Project.
Programme Structure for 2024/2025
| Curricular Courses | Credits | |
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| 1st Year | ||
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Contemporary Social Inequalities
6.0 ECTS
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Labour and Social Security Law
6.0 ECTS
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Regulation and Labour Markets
6.0 ECTS
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Sociology of Work and Employment
6.0 ECTS
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Research Design
6.0 ECTS
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International and European Labour and Social Law
6.0 ECTS
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Industrial Relations
6.0 ECTS
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Comparative Social Protection Systems
6.0 ECTS
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Research Methods in Social Sciences
6.0 ECTS
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| 2nd Year | ||
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Master Dissertation in Work, Employment and Society
48.0 ECTS
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Master Project in Work, Employment and Society
48.0 ECTS
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2nd Cycle Internship
6.0 ECTS
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Sociology of Work and Employment
The learning objectives consist in to obtain and/or deepen competences in the following areas:
LO1. Theoretical paths of the Sociology of Labour and the Sociology of Employment.
LO2. Labour and employment in Portugal and in the world, particularly the Lusophone world.
LO3. Research, selection, collection and processing of primary and secondary empirical information.
LO4. The use of bibliographical, documentary and national and international statistical sources.
At the end of the semester, students should be able to correctly use the conceptual frameworks of these two specialised sociologies, know how to research a range of relevant sources and critically analyse the current situation regarding working and employment conditions at national and international level.
S1. Work and its Sociology: work - a problematic definition; the different approaches of work in contemporary societies.
S2. Modalities of work organization: from manufacture to Fordism.
S3. The productive restructuring in the era of flexible accumulation and its consequences for the labour process.
S4. The digital work: virtual work in a real world.
S5. The degradation of work in the era of flexible accumulation and the agenda for decent work.
S6. From work to employment. The Sociology of Employment and the study of the labour market and employment.
S7. Changing dynamics in the labour market: feminization of employment and the persistence of the gender inequality.
S8. Changing dynamics in the labour market: precariousness.
S9. Changing dynamics in the labour market: unemployment.
S10. The technological revolution and the future of work and employment.
The preferred method of assessment is assessment throughout the semester, although final assessment by exam is also foreseen, which should be an exception. Assessment throughout the semester requires attendance at at least 70.0 per cent of classes. There are two moments of assessment: 1) A group work, consisting in a theoretical paper focusing on the contents of one of the planned lessons (30,0%); 2/ an individual test covering all the subjcts taught during the semester (60.0%). The remaining 10,0% is allocated to class participation, namely in the debates that will take place.
BibliographyTitle: Antunes, R. (org.) (2023). Icebergs à Deriva. São Paulo: Boitempo.
Antunes, R. (org.) (2020). Uberização, Trabalho Digital e Indústria 4.0. São Paulo: Boitempo.
Antunes, R. (2013). Os Sentidos do Trabalho. Coimbra: Almedina.
Beck, U. (2000). The Brave New World of Work. Cambridge: Polity.
Berg, J (ed.) (2015). Labour Markets, Institutions and Inequality: Building Just Societies in the 21st Century. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Castel, R. (1999) From Manual Workers to Wage Labor. Transformation of the Social Question. New Brunswick: Transaction.
Edgell S, Gottfried H, Granter E (ed.) (2015). The SAGE Handbook of the Sociology of Work and Employment. London: Sage.
Freire, J. (2001). Sociologia do Trabalho: Uma Introdução. Porto: Afrontamento.
Kovács, I. (org) (2005). Flexibilidade de Emprego. Oeiras: Celta.
Kovács, I.; Castillo, J (1998). Novos Modelos de Produção: Trabalho e Pessoas. Oeiras: Celta.
Standing, G. (2011). The Precariat: the New Dangerous Class. Londres: Bloomsbury Academic.
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Title: Alves, G. (2013). Dimensões da Precarização do Trabalho ? Ensaios de Sociologia do Trabalho. São Paulo: Editora Praxis.
Antunes, R. (2018). O Privilégio da Servidão: o Novo Proletariado de Serviços na Era Digital. São Paulo: Boitempo.
Antunes, R.; Braga, R. (orgs). (2009). Infoproletários: Degradação Real do Trabalho Virtual. São Paulo: Boitempo.
Braverman, H. (1974). Labor and Monopoly Capital: the Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century. New York: Monthly Review Press.
Demazière, D. (1995). La Sociologie du Chômage Paris: La Découverte.
Friedmann, G.; Naville, P. (1973 [1961]). Tratado de Sociologia do Trabalho. São Paulo: Cultrix.
Huws, U. (2019). Labour in Contemporary Capitalism. What Next? Londres: Palgrave Macmillan.
Jones, P. (2021). Work Without the Worker. Labour in the Age of Platform Capitalism. Londres: Verso
Kovács, I. (2002). As Metamorfoses do Emprego. Oeiras: Celta.
Meda, D (1999) O Trabalho: um Valor em VIas de Extinção. Lisboa: Fim de Século.
Sennett, R (2001) A Corrosão do Carácter: as Consequências Pessoais do Trabalho no Novo Capitalismo. Lisboa: Terramar.
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Industrial Relations
Develop introductory knowledge of the vast field and literature and diverse perspectives on labor relations and trade unionism.
Develop the ability to analyze current problems in labor relations and trade unionism.
1. Introduction to Labour Relations and Trade Unionism: Basic Concepts and Definitions
2. The theory of Employment Relations and Industrial Relations
3. Industrial Democracy: Representation, Collective bargaining and Forms of Employment Regulation
4. From Fordism to globalisation: from Fordist regulation to the neo-liberal deregulation of employment relations
5. Human Resource Management vs. Industrial Relations: flexibilization and individualism vs. regulation and collectivism in employment relations
6. Labor Conflict and Strikes
7. Trade unionism: its history and ideologies and the comparative analysis of trade union models.
8. Union membership: the decline of trade unionism in comparative perspective
9. Labor relations and trade unions in Portugal
10. Trade union revitalisation, new actors and forms of collective action and the future of industrial democracy
Each student may choose one of the following three options for assessment on the basis of periodic evaluation:
A) An essay on themes of the program based upon the review of a minimum of 8 articles published in scientific journals in the last decade;
B) A research project on the negotiation of a collective contract or a labor conflict or a unionization campaign, consisting of a dossier and an analysis of the chosen situation;
C) An analysis of the platforms for 2021-22 and 2022-23 of the UGT and the CGTP that identifies and explains their common and divergent demands.
The final exercise counts for 100% of assessment.
There is no final exam. Students who do not obtain a passing grade in the 1st marking period must hand in an essay in accordance with the instructions for Option A.
Title: Waddington, J. & Hoffmann, R., eds. (2000) Trade Unions in Europe (ETUI).
Vandaele, K. (2019) Bleak prospects: mapping trade union membership in Europe since 2000 (ETUI).
Streeck, W. (2005) "The Sociology of Labor Markets and Trade Unions" in Smelser, N. J. & Swedberg, R. (eds.), Handbook of Economic Sociology. Princeton University Press, 254-283.
Livro Verde Relações Laborais (2017)
Lehndorff, S., Dribbusch, H. & Schulten, T., eds. (2018) Rough waters: European trade unions in a time of crises (ETUI)
Hyman, R. (2001) Understanding European trade Unionism (Sage).
Freire, J., Rego, R. & Rodrigues, C. (2014) "Relações Colectivas de trabalho" (Capítulo 4) in Sociologia do Trabalho: Um Aprofundamento (Porto: Edições Afrontamento), 111-136.
Freire, J. (2001) "Actores sociais e relações colectivas de trabalho" (Capítulo 2) in Sociologia do Trabalho: Uma Introdução. Porto: Edições Afrontamento, 159-256.
Edwards, P. K. (1986) Conflict at Work (Blackwell).
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Title: Waddington, J. (ed.), Restructuring Representation (Peter Lang, 2004).
Touraine, A, M. Wieviorka & F. Dubet, Le mouvement ouvrier (Librarie Arthème Fayard, 1984).
Handbook of Economic Sociology (Princeton University Press 2005).
Slomp, H. Between bargaining and politics : an introduction to european labor relations (Praeger, 1996).
Ruysseveldt, J.V. & J. Visser (eds), Industrial Relations in Europe: Traditions and Transitions (Sage, 1996).
Rosa, M. T. Serôdio, Sindicalismo e movimento operário: os metalúrgicos de Setúbal (Edições Afrontamento, 1997).
Pires de Lima, M. et al., A acção sindical e o desenvolvimento: uma intervenção sociologica em Setúbal (Edições Salamandra , 1992)
Phelan, C., (ed.), Trade Union Revitalisation: Trends and Prospects in 38 Nations (Peter Lang, 2007).
Paquet, R., J.-F. Tremblay et É. Gosselin, "Des theories du syndicalisme: Synthèse analytique et considerations contemporaines", Relations Industrielles-Industrial Relations, Vol 59, 2, 2004
Poole, M., Theories of Trade Unionism (Routlege and Kegan Paul,1981)
McCarthy, W.E.J. (ed.), Trade Unions (Penguin 1972)
Lefranc, G., O sindicalismo no mundo (Europa América, 1974)
Larson, S. & B. Nissen (eds.), Theories of the Labor Movement (Wayne State University Press, 1987)
Kaufman, B. (ed.) Theoretical Perspectives on Work and the Employment Relationship (Industrial Relations Research Association, 2004)
Hyman, R., Understanding European trade Unionism (Sage, 2001)
Gumbrell-McCormick, R. e Hyman, R., Trade Unions in Western Europe (Oxford University Press 2013)
Frege, C.M. & J. Kelly, Varieties of Unionism (Oxford University Press, 2004)
Fouquet, A., U. Rehfeldt & S. Le Roux (coords) Le syndicalisme dans la mondialisation (Les Editions de L'Atelier, 2000)
European Commission, Industrial Relations in Europe 2010.
Ebbinghaus, B. & J. Visser, The Societies of Europe, Trade Unions in Western Europe since 1945 (Macmillan, 2000)
Dabschek, B. (1989) "A Survey of Theories of Industrial Relations" in Barbash, J. & Barbash, K., Theories and Concepts in Comparative Industrial Relations (Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press), 155-183.
Clarke, T., & Clements, L. (eds.), Trade Unions under capitalism (Fontana/Collins, 1977)
Briefs, G., Sindicatos de ontem e de hoje (Edições Delfos, 1976)
Blyton, P. & P. Turnbull, The Dynamics of Employee Relations (Macmillan, 1994)
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Research Methods in Social Sciences
By the end of the CU, each student should have acquired the necessary competencies to:
OA1. Define the stages of a research process in the social sciences, identifying the role of methods and research techniques in the production of scientific knowledge;
OA2. Distinguish between extensive and intensive methodological strategies, demonstrating their characteristics, potentials, and limitations;
OA3. Develop and validate instruments for data collection in the context of extensive research, including defining the sampling process and constructing questionnaires;
OA4. Develop and validate instruments for use in intensive research, including designing interview guides and defining fieldwork;
OA5. Understand the structure of a database, classify variables, and interpret tables and graphs;
OA6. Analyze and interpret qualitative data, using content analysis of interviews and other documents.
CP1 - The Research Process
1.1 Introduction to the Research Process in Social Sciences
1.2 The Stages of the Research Process
1.3 Research Methods and Techniques: Key Notions and Characteristics
CP2 - Extensive Research
2.1 Extensive Research: Main Characteristics
2.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys using Questionnaires
2.3 Key Sampling Techniques
2.4 Types of Questions, Construction, and Validation of Questionnaires
2.5 Online Surveys
CP3 - Intensive Research
3.1 Intensive Research: Main Characteristics
3.2 Types of Interviews and Levels of Directiveness
3.3 Planning and Conducting Interviews
3.4 Developing Interview Guides
3.5 Observation and Fieldwork
CP4 - Analysis and Interpretation of Quantitative and Qualitative Data
4.1 Exploitation and Analysis of Databases using SPSS
4.2 Production and Interpretation of Tables and Graphs
4.3 Content Analysis of Interviews and Other Documents
Students can choose one of the two assessment methods established for this UC in accordance with the General Regulation on Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (RGACC) of ISCTE: Assessment throughout the semester and Assessment by exam.
Assessment throughout the semester: This assessment method consists of two components: Methodological Applications Pathway (60%) and Group Assignment (40%).
a) Methodological Applications Pathway: This component consists of a sequence of methodological exercises that challenge students to apply the knowledge acquired in each block of programmatic contents of the UC. The exercises are completed individually throughout the semester, either synchronously or asynchronously, allowing for continuous assessment of students and their progress in the field of social research methods. To remain assessed throughout the semester, students may opt to skip the submission of only one of the proposed methodological exercises. The grade obtained in this component accounts for 60% of the final grade for the UC.
b) Group Assignment: This component involves analyzing two empirical studies, one intensive and one extensive, based on the examination of two master’s theses related to the students' areas of interest. Preference should be given to analyzing master’s theses developed within the scientific field of the student's enrolled master's program. The work can be done in groups (two members) or individually. The document must be written according to the structure proposed by the teaching team. To remain assessed throughout the semester, students must achieve a minimum grade of 10 points on the Group Assignment. The grade obtained in this component accounts for 40% of the final grade for the UC.
In addition to the minimum requirements for each component, assessment throughout the semester requires students to attend at least 60% of the classes.
Assessment by exam: This assessment occurs exclusively during the exam period and covers all the material taught in the curricular unit, with both theoretical and theoretical-practical questions. It consists of an individual written exam designed to evaluate both the practical skills for applying social research methods and the theoretical knowledge gained from reading the main bibliography. Students who have chosen this assessment method, as well as those who did not pass the assessment throughout the semester, are eligible for this assessment method.
Title: Albarello, L. et al. (2011). Práticas e métodos de investigação em ciências sociais. Gradiva.
Bardin, L. (2020). Análise de conteúdo (Edição revista e ampliada). Edições 70.
Beaud, S., & Weber, F. (2007). Guia para a pesquisa de campo. Editora Vozes.
Bryman, A. (2022). Social research methods (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Campenhoudt, L. V., Marquet, J., & Quivy, R. (2023). Manual de investigação em ciências sociais (2ª ed. rev.). Gradiva.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Foddy, W. (1996). Como perguntar – Teoria e prática da construção de perguntas para entrevistas e questionários. Celta Editora.
Ghiglione, R., & Matalon, B. (1992). O inquérito – Teoria e prática. Celta Editora.
Maroco, J. (2021). Análise estatística com o SPSS Statistics (7ª ed.). ReportNumber.
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Title: Becker, H. (1997). Métodos de pesquisa em Ciências Sociais. Hucitec.
Bertaux, D. (2020). As narrativas de vida. Mundos Sociais.
Bryman, A. & Cramer, D. (1993). Análise de dados em ciências sociais: introdução às técnicas utilizando o SPSS. Celta Editora.
Burgess, R. (2001). A pesquisa de terreno: uma introdução. Celta Editora.
DeCastellarnau, A. (2018). A classification of response scale characteristics that affect data quality: A literature review. Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1523-1559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0533-4
Della Porta, D., & Keating, M. (Orgs.). (2008). Approaches and methodologies in the social sciences: A pluralist perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Laureano, R., & Botelho, M. C. (2017). IBM SPSS Statistics: O meu manual de consulta rápida (3ª ed.). Sílabo.
Moreira, J. M. (2004). Questionários: Teoria e Prática. Almedina.
Oliveira, A. et al. (2021). O questionário online na investigação em educação: reflexões epistemológicas, metodológicas e éticas. Universidade Aberta.
Paugam, S. (Coord.). (2015). A pesquisa sociológica. Editora Vozes.
Silva, A. S., & Pinto, J. M. (2014 [1986]). Metodologia das ciências sociais. Edições Afrontamento.
Silverman, D. (2011). Interpreting qualitative data (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sue, V. e Ritter, L.A. (2012). Conducting Online Surveys (2ª ed.), Thousand Oaks, Sage.
Vicente, P., Reis, E. & Ferrão, F. (2001). Sondagens. A amostragem como factor decisivo de qualidade. Sílabo.
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Master Dissertation in Work, Employment and Society
Transmit and develop necessary information and skills for starting the process of research and the preparation of the dissertation.
ProgramSteps in the preparation and elaboration of the dissertation;
From the pre-projecto exercise to the project for the dissertation;
General and specific objectives for the dissertation's project;
Reviewing the Literature;
The analytical model and its implications for research or prospective;
Presentation of Work in progress.
The class sessions are seminars that include a mix of lecture with presentations and discussion. The practical work consists of the filling out of the registration form with general and specific objectives and a research plan, the preparation of bibliography and literature reviews and the presentation of work in progress.
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The evaluation for the seminar is included as relevant information of the students' work in the exam of the dissertation or project.
Components of the evaluation are:
The definition of the specific objectives for the dissertation or project;
A literature review;
A plan for research or preparation of the project;
Presentation of work in progress.
Title: Buchanan, David A. and Bryman, Alan (eds.) (2011) The Sage handbook of organizational research methods. Los Angeles: Sage.
Bryman, Alan (2012) Social research methods, 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bryman, Alan (1988) Doing research in organizations. New York : Routledge.
Bell, Judith (1997), Como Realizar um Projecto de Investigação, Lisboa, Gradiva.
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Title: Bibliografia adicional é preparada especificamente para cada projeto e dissertação consoante o seu tema e metodologia.
Scott, John (1990), A Matter of Record. Documentary Sources in Social Research, Cambridge, Polity Press.
O'Dochartaigh, Nial (2002), The Internet Research Handbook: a Pratical Guide for Students and Researchers in the Social Sciences, London: Sage Publications.
Kielcolt, K. Jill, e Laura E. Nathan (1985), Secondary Analysis of Survey Data, London, Sage.
Hantrais, Linda, e Steen Mangen (eds.) (1996), Cross-National Research Methods in the Social Sciences, London, Pinter.
Foddy, William (1996), Como Perguntar. Teoria e Prática da Construção de Perguntas para Entrevistas e Questionários, Oeiras, Celta Editora.
Burgess, Robert G (1997) A pesquisa de terreno: uma introdução (trad. Eduardo de Freitas e Maria Inês Mansinho). Oeiras: Celta Editora.
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2nd Cycle Internship
The learning outcomes of the Internship are adapted to each internship and the institution where it is developed. These are:
LO1. To acquire technical skills linked to methods and techniques for action within different kinds of institutions related to the general objectives and learning outcomes of the master's degree;
LO2. To develop research and action-research skills within organizations related to the master's degree;
LO3. To prepare an internship report that reveals analytical reflection of the professional or academic context;
LO4. Develop indicators for recording and evaluating professional practice.
1. Topic and problem of the internship
2. Internship plan
3. Theoretical and methodological framework
4. Methodology of collaborative action research
5. Evaluation
6. Report
Individual report, which contains the following elements:
a) Characterization of the institutional context (history, organization, policies and services, activities, organizational structure and functioning);
b) Framing the internship institution;
c) Description of the activities developed (roles, responsibilities, agents, work processes, methodologies used)
d) Critical and theoretically based conclusions
e) References
The UC does not contemplate the modality of evaluation by Exam.
Title: - Sweitzer, H. Frederick e King, Mary A. (2014), The Successful Internship: Personal, Professional, and Civic Development in Experiential Learning, Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
- Reeher, Gant e Mariani, Mack (2002), The Insider's Guide To Political Internships: What To Do Once You're In The Door, Nova Iorque: Basic Books
- Neves, José, Garrido, Margarida, Simões Eduardo (2008), Manual de Competências Pessoais, Interpessoais e Instrumentais. Teoria e Prática, Lisboa: Editora SÍLABO
- Della Porta, Donatella e Keating Michael (eds.) (2008) Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences. A Pluralist Perspective, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Courtney, Roger (2013), Strategic Management in the Third Sector, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
- Capucha, Luís (2008), Planeamento e Avaliação de Projetos. Guião Prático, Lisboa: ME/DGIDC
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