Teaching methodologies in Human and Social Sciences in graduate studies programs in Public Health (2002-2016)

The contributions by Human and Social Sciences in Health (HSSH) have been decisive for dealing with the social dynamics involving human life, suffering, and illness. Thus, analysis of the configuration of the HSSH field has been a key research theme for many Brazilian authors. This article analyzes training in HSSH (with a special focus on research training) in graduate studies programs in Public Health from 2002 to 2016, considering the course supply in HSSH and the courses involving methodological training, based on their size, frequency, and principal theoretical and methodological influences. Our source was the files of "Disciplines" and "Program Proposals" in the Indicator Notebooks from the Brazilian Graduate Studies Coordinating Board (CAPES) and Sucupira databases. The syllabuses were read and analyzed for their themes, objectives, bibliographies, and authors. Data were recorded on an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed with the R statistical package. The results show stability in the course supply in HSSH (some 20% over the period), but a modest presence of methodological courses in Social Sciences. We found a diversity of theoretical and methodological references, especially compilation works or didactic texts. We highlight the lack of classic texts and authors in the Social Sciences. The conclusions point to the challenge of transposing operative training, which allows instrumentally executing highly relevant research for health, but which can affect the potential for consolidation and theoretical innovation in social thinking in health.