Skip to content

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Toggle the language menu. Current language: EN

Inclusion, Marginality, and Socio-Educational Practice

Semester 1 · 64225 · Bachelor for Social Education · 9CP · EN · DE


This course examines key concepts and theories in social pedagogy, inclusive education, diversity studies, and criminology. It focuses on issues of social participation, equal opportunities, and the management of diversity, while exploring the mechanisms that contribute to social exclusion, marginalization, and disadvantage.
The course encourages critical reflection on social norms, power relations, and processes of discrimination, and provides both theoretical and practice-oriented foundations for professional social pedagogical work in diverse and inclusive societies.

The course focuses on the full range of settings, from early childhood education to school, social education to institutions serving older people.

Lecturers: Vanessa Macchia, Ruth Sapelza

Teaching Hours: 32
Lab Hours: 20
Mandatory Attendance: In accordance with the regulation

Course Topics
See the individual course modules

Teaching format
See the individual course modules

Educational objectives
The course presents and critically discusses the ‘fundamentals’ of inclusive education and upbringing at a conceptual level, the cultural and ethical-political approach, the key legal and organisational-institutional structures of the Italian school system and social inclusion, as well as a number of strategies for socio-educational interventions and family support in cases of disability, vulnerability, deviance and marginalisation. A. To recognise, understand and critically discuss the key conceptual, cultural and ethical-political dimensions and approaches to inclusive education and upbringing. B. To recognise, understand and critically analyse the key current regulatory and organisational-institutional structures in the field of educational and social inclusion, applying the knowledge acquired in point 1 C. Be able to recognise, understand and apply some of the key psycho-pedagogical and psychosocial approaches for individuals and families experiencing disability, vulnerability, marginalisation and deviance, and for working with groups, to specific situations.

Assessment
Lectures 1+2: Mid-term assessments during the course (which will be incorporated into the final oral examination) Laboratory 3: Assessment of a portfolio Type of examination Final assessment of the individual modules (1, 2+ and 3) + supplementary oral discussion reviewing the experiences and content of the course and the workshop

Evaluation criteria
A single final mark is awarded. The following aspects are taken into account and assessed during the oral examination: relevance, clarity of argumentation, ability to analyse critically, ability to revise work, reflection, communication, and reference to the most important sources for further learning

Required readings

See the individual course modules



Supplementary readings

See the individual course modules




Download as pdf

Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

1 3 4 5 8 10 16

Modules

Semester 1 · 64225A · Bachelor for Social Education · 4CP · EN

Module A — Sociology of Marginality and Deviance

This course introduces the main criminological approaches and theories of deviance and social control, with particular attention to the relationship between social inequality, marginalization, crime, and processes of criminalization. Through the critical analysis of academic literature and case studies, students are encouraged to reflect on institutional and structural processes of marginalization, as well as on the power relations and social and political dynamics that shape the production and regulation of deviance.

Lecturers: Ruth Sapelza

Teaching Hours: 24
Lab Hours: 0

Course Topics
• become familiar with and understand key criminological approaches and theories of deviance and social control, • analyze the relationship between social inequality, marginalization, and crime / processes of criminalization, • critically reflect on institutional as well as structural processes of marginalization, and question societal power relations and political action, • critically read and discuss academic texts in critical criminology and inequality research.

Teaching format
Lecture

Required readings
  • Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance (pp. 1–18). Free Press.
  • Carrabine, E., Cox, P., Crowhurst, I., et al. (2020). Thinking about punishment. In Criminology: A sociological introduction (4th ed., Part 4, Chap. 17). Routledge.
  • Selmini, R., & Di Ronco, A. (2023). The criminalization of dissent and protest. Crime and Justice, 52(1), 197–231. 
  • Varghese Charles, & Kumar Sheethal, S. (2022). Marginality: A critical review of the concept. Review of Development and Change, 1–19.
  • Wacquant, L. J. D. (2009). Social insecurity and the punitive upsurge. In Punishing the poor: The neoliberal government of social insecurity (pp. 1–8). Duke University Press.


Supplementary readings

Additional literature will be announced during the course.



Semester 1 · 64225B · Bachelor for Social Education · 2CP · DE

Module B — Educational Strategies in Marginality and Vulnerability (LAB)

The laboratory explores the concepts of marginality, vulnerability, and deviance, as well as their relevance to social pedagogical fields of practice. Particular attention is given to care, support, and the helping relationship as key tools of inclusive educational practice. In addition, approaches to inclusive planning in social pedagogical contexts are examined and applied to specific areas of practice. The laboratory combines theoretical foundations with practice-oriented activities and promotes collaborative reflection on resources, challenges, and opportunities for action within an inclusive social pedagogy framework.

Lecturers: Vanessa Macchia

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 20

Semester 1 · 64225C · Bachelor for Social Education · 3CP · DE

Module C — Pedagogy of Inclusion

This course provides an introduction to disability, diversity, and inclusion from a social education perspective. It examines different models of impairment and disability, processes of exclusion and marginalization, issues of justice, and relevant legal and institutional frameworks. The course also addresses approaches to inclusive educational planning, the role of social pedagogical professionals, and the development of support networks. Students are encouraged to critically engage with human diversity and to develop inclusive competencies for professional practice in educational and social contexts.

Lecturers: Vanessa Macchia

Teaching Hours: 18
Lab Hours: 0

Request info