Programa universitário (50+) ou do questionamento de crenças tomadas pela medusa

In this paper, we intend to reflect and analyse, even in an exploratory way, three key dimensions – the pedagogical relationship, the curriculum and the assessment – underlying the attainment, by students over 50 years old, of a university programme sponsored by the Porto’s Regional Centre of the Catholic University of Portugal. We would say, using a formula which we do not espouse, that it is a “non-traditional” programme for “non-traditional” students. Paradoxically, this “non” does not express a deficit, but a not inconsiderable wealth – of (life, professional, but also, more often than not, formal education – because most students are graduate, at least –) experiences, memories (past), as well as activity (present), desires and expectations (future)! Then, and precisely because it is “non-traditional”, this program has, on the one hand, involved an effort to rethink some of the processes and procedures of the University; on the other, has brought data that can lead us to question certain beliefs associated with adult education.