FONDAMENTI DEL SERVIZIO SOCIALE E DELLA POLITICA SOCIALE

Semestre 1 · 51121 · Corso di laurea in Servizio sociale · 11CFU · EN · DE

The course introduces the foundations of social work and social policy.

FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL WORK:
This module introduces key concepts, theories, and ethical foundations of social work. It focuses on social work as a profession and academic discipline, its functions, mandates, and fields of action, as well as questions of professionalization and the political dimension of social work.

SOCIAL POLICY: This module aims at introducing students to the fundamentals of the welfare state, its developments in a comparative perspective, its recent trends and current dilemmas. The interplay of family, market and state in welfare provision is also comparatively addressed. The main areas of social policy are introduced.

Docenti: Urban Nothdurfter, Teresio Poggio

Ore didattica frontale: 66
Ore di laboratorio: 0
Obbligo di frequenza: In accordance with the regulation

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
SOCIAL POLICY Part 1 – Fundamentals: Social problems, their stratification in society and during the life course. Rationale for public intervention and for the welfare state. Historical developments of the welfare state in Western Europe. The interplay of family, market and the state in welfare provision. Different national trajectories and welfare regimes. Recent trends and major challenges. Part 2 – Introduction to the main social policy areas: Care and long-term care; Education; Family; Health, Housing; Labour market; Pension system; Poverty & Income Maintenance; Social assistance; Social Exclusion. Part 3 – Cross-cutting themes: Gender and generations in contemporary welfare systems; Not-for-profit sector; Globalization and welfare systems; Social and political sustainability of the welfare state.

Insegnamenti propedeutici
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Modalità di insegnamento
Frontal lectures, short exercises and case studies, discussion in class.

Obiettivi formativi

Obiettivi formativi e risultati di apprendimento (ulteriori info.)

Modalità d'esame
SOCIAL POLICY Two different assessment routes are offered for the module Social Policy: 1. Standard assessment (all students), in two steps: 1.1. Individual project work (50% of the final marks): 3-4 pages mini-essay, with critical reflections, to be delivered not later than 7 days before the exam. The theme can be selected by the students from a list of subjects prepared by the instructor (with a couple of short related readings). The list will be available in the Reserve Collection at the start of the course; 1.2. Final written test (50% of the final marks): 30-40 minutes test that includes closed-ended multiple choice questions and a few short open-ended questions. 2. Attending students (who has attended 50% of the lectures at least), may choose the following 3 steps assessment procedure: 2.1. Individual project work (50% of the final marks), as specified for the standard assessment; 2.2. Final written test (25% of the final marks): 30-40 minutes test as specified for the standard assessment; 2.3. Active participation in class (25% of the final marks). It includes the discussion of a few preparatory readings and case studies. Important notes both the assessment routes: A positive evaluation of both the individual project and the final written test is needed in order to pass the exam, irrespective of the overall weighted average marks attained. Please also note that – given the mentioned educational objectives and the simple tasks required in the development of the final project work – the use of generative artificial intelligence tools is not allowed. The lecturer reserves the right to complement the assessment procedure with an oral discussion in order to assess the real contribution of the student to the materials submitted for assessment.

Criteri di valutazione
SOCIAL POLICY In general, what is evaluated is the acquisition of the module contents as well as their understanding and reflexive application in relation to current questions and problems. Evaluation criteria are as follows: 1. In the individual project’s mini essay, attention is paid to: 1.1 proper reference to specialist literature and the module contents, and to the ability to summarise the texts considered in the project and other contents (40% of the evaluation); 1.2. the ability to offer a critical discussion of the texts considered – and of possible other reference literature - and to link the latter to other contents of the module (40% of the evaluation). 1.3. the ability to write with a logical structure and clear argumentation (20% of the evaluation). 2. In the written test (closed-ended and open-ended questions) attention is paid to knowledge of the module key themes and concepts, on the accuracy and the ability to evaluate alternative understanding of concepts, as shown in the ability to correctly answer the test questions (100% of the evaluation). 3. Attendance is a prerequisite for participation in class. In active participation, attention is paid to: 3.1. contribution to the critical discussion in class of a few preparatory readings (25% of the evaluation); 3.2. contribution to the crititcal discussion in class of a few case studies (25% of the evaluation); 3.3. contribution to the critical discussion in class on the module topics and key concepts, in general (25% of the evaluation); 3.4. the ability to make connections between themes and concepts discussed in the module (25% of the evaluation). 4. An oral discussion, may complement the assessment of the project’s mini essay. The evaluation would be driven by the criteria discussed at point 1 and would be focused on assessing the authorship and originality of the miny essay submitted.

Bibliografia obbligatoria

see module description

Altre informazioni
Please refer to the module dedicated Open Learning Environment (OLE) for further module resources and information. Handouts for each lecture will be available soon after class.

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Obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile
Questa attività didattica contribuisce al raggiungimento dei seguenti Obiettivi di Sviluppo sostenibile.

1 3 5 8 10 16

Modules

Semestre 1 · 51121A · Corso di laurea in Servizio sociale · 6CFU · DE

Module A — FONDAMENTI DEL SERVIZIO SOCIALE

FONDAMENTI DEL SERVIZIO SOCIALE:
Questo modulo introduce i concetti chiave, le teorie e i fondamenti etici del servizio sociale. Si concentra sul servizio sociale come professione e disciplina accademica, sulle sue funzioni, sui mandati e sugli ambiti di intervento, nonché sulle questioni legate alla professionalizzazione e alla dimensione socio-politica della pratica del servizio sociale.

Docenti: Urban Nothdurfter

Ore didattica frontale: 36
Ore di laboratorio: 0

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
Il corso introduce i fondamenti del servizio sociale come professione e disciplina, mirando a trasmettere conoscenze e competenze per una riflessione critica e teoricamente fondata su temi e tensioni centrali. In un primo momento, l’attenzione si concentra su definizioni e concetti centrali, sviluppi, funzioni e mandati del servizio sociale, evidenziando sfide e tensioni ricorrenti. I partecipanti acquisiranno una panoramica delle linee di sviluppo, dei processi di professionalizzazione e degli ambiti di intervento, imparando a comprendere il servizio sociale sia come attività professionale sia come campo scientifico. Il corso affronta poi le basi teoriche e scientifiche del servizio sociale, trattando le teorie del servizio sociale, il ruolo delle discipline di riferimento, nonché le questioni relative alle forme di sapere e alla produzione e applicazione critica e partecipativa delle conoscenze nei contesti professionali. L’insegnamento introduce anche all’etica del servizio sociale, trasmettendo i fondamenti normativi e i principi etico-deontologici, presentando diversi approcci etici e tematizzando in modo coerente la competenza di riflessione e decisione etica come dimensione essenziale della professionalità del servizio sociale. Un’attenzione particolare sarà dedicata allo sviluppo di una consapevolezza della dimensione politica del servizio sociale. I contenuti trattati verranno costantemente collocati nel contesto delle questioni sociali e delle dinamiche di politica sociale, mettendo a fuoco le sfide dell’agire professionale tra scelte politiche e obiettivi di giustizia sociale.

Modalità di insegnamento
Lezioni, esercizi, discussioni

Bibliografia obbligatoria

Capitoli scelti dai seguenti volumi e testi:

Kessl, F., Kruse, E., Stövesand, S., & Thole, W. (2017). Soziale Arbeit: Kernthemen und Problemfelder. UTB.

Cloos, P., Lochner, B. & Schoneville, H. (2020). Soziale Arbeit als Projekt: Konturierungen von Disziplin und Profession. Springer VS.

Graßhoff, G., Renker, A. & Schröer, W. (Hrsg.) (2018). Soziale Arbeit: Eine elementare Einführung. Springer VS.

Thole, W. (Hrsg.) (2012). Grundriss Soziale Arbeit: Ein einführendes Handbuch. Springer VS, 4. Auflage.

Lambers, H. (2023). Theorien Sozialer Arbeit. Ein Kompendium und Vergleich. UTB.

Hammerschmidt, P. & Stecklina, G. (2022). Klassische Theorien Sozialer Arbeit. Beltz Juventa.

Hammerschmidt, P., Aner, K. & Weber, S. (2019). Zeitgenössische Theorien Sozialer Arbeit. Beltz Juventa.

Hölscher, D., Hugman, R. & McAuliffe, D. (2023). Social Work Theory and Ethics. Springer.

Gray, M., Midgley, J., Webb, St. A. (eds.) (2012). The SAGE Handbook of Social Work. SAGE.

Healy, K. (2022). Social work theories in context: creating frameworks for practice. Bloomsbury.

Fargion S. (2009). Il servizio sociale. Storia, temi e dibattiti. Laterza,

Fazzi, L. (2017). Teoria e pratica del servizio sociale: un'introduzione. Franco Angeli.

Sanfelici, M. (2024). Fondamenti del servizio sociale anti-oppressivo. Carocci.

Ulteriore letteratura di lavoro sarà fornita durante il corso.

Semestre 1 · 51121B · Corso di laurea in Servizio sociale · 5CFU · EN

Module B — POLITICA SOCIALE

The module Social Policy aims at introducing students to the fundamentals of the welfare state, its developments in a comparative perspective, its recent trends and current dilemmas. The interplay of family, market and state in welfare provision is also comparatively addressed. The main areas of social policy are introduced.

Docenti: Teresio Poggio

Ore didattica frontale: 30
Ore di laboratorio: 0

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
Part 1 - Fundamentals: Social problems, their stratification in society and during the life course. Rationale for public intervention and for the welfare state. Historical developments of the welfare state in Western Europe. The interplay of family, market and the state in welfare provision. Different national trajectories and welfare regimes. Recent trends and major challenges. Part 2 – Introduction to the main social policy areas: Care and long-term care; Education; Family; Health, Housing; Labour market; Pension system; Poverty & Income Maintenance; Social assistance; Social Exclusion. Part 3 – Cross-cutting themes: Gender and generations in contemporary welfare systems; Not-for-profit sector; Globalization and welfare systems; Social and political sustainability of the welfare state.

Modalità di insegnamento
In person teaching: frontal lectures, short exercises and case studies, discussion in class.

Bibliografia obbligatoria

1) The following selected chapters from Alcock, P., Haux, T. McCall, V. & May, M. (2022). The Student’s Companion to Social Policy 6th edition. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781119744870 (thereafter, the COMPANION):

Chapter 1 (P. Alcock), What is Social Policy?, pp. 5-10
Chapter 3 (N. Manning), Social needs, Social Problems, Social Welfare and Well-being, pp. 18-23
Chapter 32 (S. Pemberton & G.J. Arriaga-Garcia), Poverty and Social Exclusion, pp. 216-221.

2) The following selected chapters from Béland, D., Leibfried S., Morgan, K.J., Obinger, H. & Pierson C. (2021). The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State 2nd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780198828389 (thereafter, the HANDBOOK):

Chapter 6 (G. Hooijer, & D. King), The Critics of Welfare: From Neoliberalism to Populism, pp. 52–70
Chapter 23 (M.G. Schmidt), European and National Social Policy, pp. 396–416
Chapter 28 (K. Hinrichs & J.F. Lynch), Old-Age Pensions, pp. 492-506
Chapter 30 (A. Österle & H. Rothgang), Long-Term Care, pp. 524-540
Chapter 36 (Th. Bahle & K. Wendt), Social Assistance, pp. 624-640
Chapter 43 (J. Hook & L. Ruppanner), Gendered Outcomes, pp. 750-766.
Chapter 48 (M. Ferrera), The South European Countries, pp. 843–62

3) The following selected chapters from Pierson, C., Castles, F.G. & Naumann, I.K. (eds.) (2014). The Welfare State Reader, 3rd edition. Cambridge & Maiden (MA): Polity Press. ISBN: 978-0745663685 (thereafter, the READER):

A. Briggs, The Welfare State in Historical Perspective, pp. 14-27
C. Crouch & M. Keune, The Governance of Economic Uncertainty: Beyond the ‘New Social Risks’ Analysis, pp. 326-337
G. Esping-Andersen, Three Words of Welfare Capitalism, pp. 136-151
T. H. Marshall, Citizenship and Social Class, pp. 28-37.

Bibliografia facoltativa

1) Short readings for discussion in class (not yet included among the required readings). It would be good if each student could work on a couple of papers (it would count as participation):

M. Daly, Families, States, and Markets, pp. 205–221, from the HANDBOOK
J. Habermas, Europe’s Post-Democratic Era, pp. 388-391, from the READER
K. Offe, Some Contraddictions of the Modern Welfare State, pp. 60-69, from the READER
C. Saraceno & D. Benassi, “A Regime Approach” in C. Saraceno, D. Benassi & E. Morlicchio (eds.) Poverty in Italy: Features and Drivers in a European Perspective. Bristol, Policy Press 2020, pp. 1-22

2) Chapters non included in the Required readings from the COMPANION, the HANDBOOK and the READER, according to students' own interest and discussion in class

3) Other optional readings for curious students:

C. Attias-Donfut & S. Arber, “Equity and solidarity across generations”. In The Myth of Generational Conflict: The Family and State in Ageing Societies. Routledge, 2000, pp. 1-19
W.H. Beveridge, Social Insurance and Allied Services (the Beveridge Report), 1942
S. Buchholz et al. , “Life courses in the globalization process: The development of social inequalities in modern societies”, in European Sociological Review, 25(1), 2009, pp. 53-71
Pope Leo XIII, De Rerum Novarum, 1891
B. Nolan & C.T. Whelan, "Non-Monetary Indicators", in Poverty and Deprivation in Europe. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2011, pp. 11-35.
S. Oosterlynck, Y. Kazepov, A. Novy, P. Cools, E. Barberis, F. Wukovitsch, T. Sarius & B. Leubolt (2013), The butterfly and the elephant: local social innovation, the welfare state and new poverty dynamics. ImPRovE Discussion Paper No. 13/03. Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy – University of Antwerp
T. Poggio, "The first steps into the Italian housing system: Inequality between generational gaps and family intergenerational transfers", in R. Forrest & N.-M. Yip, Young People and Housing: Transitions, Trajectories and Generational Fractures. Routledge, 2012, pp. 42-63
K. Scanlon, M. Fernández Arrigoitia M. & C. Whitehead, Social Housing in Europe. European Policy Analysis (Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies) epa n. 17, pp. 1-12

4) Additional optional readings may be provided during the course according to discussion in class, course development, student interests, ...