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Presentation
The Graduate Program in Human Condition's Studies (PPGECH) began its activities on February 10, 2020, and is affiliated with the Center for Human and Biological Sciences (CCHB) at the Sorocaba campus of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). It is an interdisciplinary stricto sensu graduate program at the academic master's level, dedicated to the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge, as well as to the training of researchers, educators, managers, and critical professionals capable of addressing the complex challenges of contemporary society and the human condition from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Additionally, the program seeks to promote scientific activities in the field of Human and Social Sciences, aiming to qualify master's students both in research and teaching, always in light of interdisciplinarity. In this way, it intends to train researchers and faculty members capable of understanding the human condition concerning contemporary phenomena, considering its multiple dimensions.
The Human Condition's Studies are understood as a field of study that does not imply a deterministic analysis or determination but rather a rigorous investigation into the plurality of the construction and reconstruction of the category of the human in the human and social sciences. This includes studying human conditions and their historical, subjective, social, political, ethical, and linguistic specificities in their interfaces with technology, nature, and culture, as well as the development of theoretical and practical approaches to how human beings can live and fulfil themselves. As such, it emerges as an interdisciplinary object of study within the human and social sciences, essential for understanding contemporary society.
The human condition is constituted in and through desires, subjectivity or processes of subjectivization, social and political identities, and language, serving as the foundation for the manifestation of humanity as it presents itself in its historical contingency. Therefore, the Human Condition's Studies —and thus of what it means to be properly human—are fundamental to understanding what we do as a historically situated humanity, requiring an analysis of the ethical dimensions of life as well.
Specifically, PPGECH aims to:
1. Provide student-researchers with the conditions to develop work, studies, and investigations on the human condition in contemporary times, demonstrating mastery of essential theories, instruments, and conceptual and methodological procedures for the interdisciplinary field, as well as sociopolitical and ethical commitment, qualifying them for research and teaching.
2. Develop critical analysis for understanding social, political, linguistic, economic, technological, cultural, and environmental aspects related to the human condition in contemporary times, particularly concerning inequalities, differences, discourses, narratives, and mobilities.
3. Strengthen research and teaching in the field of Human and Social Sciences at UFSCar, Sorocaba campus, fostering greater collaboration and more intense activity between UFSCar campuses.
4. Meet the regional demand for high-level master's training in the field of Human and Social Sciences and related areas, following the guidelines of the National Education Plan (PNE).
Thus, graduates should be able to reflect, produce theoretical knowledge, and contribute to solving social life problems as they affect the human condition in contemporary times. As higher education faculty members, these professionals will be prepared to work in various fields, especially those related to the broad area of Human and Social Sciences.
Through the integration of diverse knowledge, graduates will be qualified to engage in multidisciplinary teams, conducting research and interdisciplinary studies that, beyond academia, can be developed in NGOs, labour unions, political and party organizations, social entities, and social movements, among others.
Mission
PPGECH's mission is to produce knowledge through theoretical and applied research that enables the understanding of the human condition in contemporary times, training master's graduates capable of reflecting on and contributing to the construction and reconstruction of the category of the human in the human and social sciences. The program seeks to explore human conditions in their historical, subjective, social, political, ethical, and linguistic specificities, considering their interactions with technology, nature, and culture.
Furthermore, it proposes new theoretical and practical approaches to different modes of human existence and realization. This knowledge production must be characterized by academic excellence and social commitment, as established in the program’s Strategic Plan, approved by the Graduate Committee in December 2020.
Additionally, the program, in line with its mission and objectives, aligns with the Institutional Development Plan (PDI) of UFSCar, which establishes, in its directive 3.1.8, the goal of expanding the offering of interdisciplinary graduate programs—a directive materialized by PPGECH. Moreover, PPGECH aligns with the recent Strategic Plan for Graduate Studies at UFSCar, particularly in Guiding Axis 2 – New Graduate Programs. In this context, Goal 1 stands out, which aims to “create innovative and interdisciplinary graduate programs capable of advancing knowledge and adding value to society, the productive sector, and national development.”