Student perception on teaching methods at graduation course Ciências do Estado of the UFMG (2009-2013)

Abstract

The Ciências do Estado Course resulted from the joined of the Law School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais to the Program of Support Plan for Restructuring and Expan-sion of Federal Universities (REUNI). Created in 2009, aims to train professionals with extensive knowledge of the functioning of the State structure as well as the ability to lead and plan public policies with humanistic vision. In its Education Programme Course adopted the seminar as a teaching/learning methodology, with the purpose to stimulate critical dialogue and knowledge production cooperatively between students and teach-ers. This study analyzed the preference of students on the use of several methods of teaching/learning in the Ciências do Estado Course. It was carried out bibliographic and participants search, besides the application of a questionnaire to students. In the analy-sis of survey responses it was observed that in view of the interviewed students, specif-ically as the seminar methodology, this was not the most appreciated methodology, for often not be applied as a teaching methodology, but as evaluative method. Nevertheless, this methodology was considered important to develop the skills necessary for the for-mation of the scientist’s State.