Sciences and techniques of social work

The course outlines a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach to analyzing the realm of social policies, with the primary goal of providing foundational knowledge of the history and theories of welfare, policy arenas and measures, and the processes involved in the formation and implementation of policies. It also aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for analyzing policies, the challenges related to their implementation, and their social impact. In this perspective, consistent with the nature of the degree program, it offers an in-depth focus on the themes and issues of social welfare. In detail, the course is divided into four parts. 1) History and Theories of Welfare The first part provides the basic conceptual framework and outlines the history of the welfare state in contemporary Europe. It identifies and characterises the different models and regimes of welfare as analytical and interpretative tools. It then describes the theoretical approaches developed to understand the evolutionary dynamics of welfare systems and identifies current trajectories of change. 2) Welfare Policies The second part focuses on the analysis of policies in the four main sectors of the welfare state: pensions, labour, healthcare, and social assistance. Here, it traces the regulatory evolution underlying policy formation and analyses the constituent elements, functioning, and critical aspects of these policies. 3) Social Welfare The third part concentrates on social assistance policies, describing their fundamental characteristics and regional differences. It studies their functioning, looking at the roles and operational modalities of different actors, both public and private, who populate the local welfare network from the perspective of the welfare mix. 4) Social Workers The fourth and final part takes a less conventional but increasingly relevant perspective in welfare studies, shifting the focus to the role of social workers as crucial actors in the policy implementation process, often referred to as frontline or street-level workers. It critically examines the effects that social and institutional changes have had on them, their professional practices, working conditions, and identity.

No requisite is required.

1) FERRERA M. (Ed.) (2019), Le politiche sociali (Terza edizione), Bologna, Il Mulino. 2) GORI C. (Ed.) (2022), Le politiche del welfare sociale, Milano, Mondadori.

The attendance to the lessons is NOT mandatory, although it is strongly recommended. However, please note that regular attendance, amounting to at least ¾ of the lessons, is a necessary condition for access to the midterm exam. For this purpose, attendance will be systematically recorded.

The assessment of knowledge takes place through a written exam based on the adopted textbooks, with the possibility of additional oral examinations. The written tests will include both multiple-choice and open-ended questions and will be divided into two parts, based on the two textbooks. Class participation will also be evaluated. To take the exam, it is necessary to register online for the scheduled exam session. * For more information, please refer to the "Modalità d’esame" document available on Moodle.

The following reference books will be used in the course: – On the theories and models of welfare, the trajectories of change, and the relationship between policies and new social risks, see Ranci C. and Pavolini E. (Eds) (2015), Le politiche di welfare (New Edition), Bologna, Il Mulino; – On the future perspectives of social welfare in Italy and maps of emerging risks, see Gori C., Ghetti V., Rusmini G., Tidoli R. (2014), Il welfare sociale in Italia. Realtà e prospettive, Roma, Carocci; – On the effects of social changes and the transformations of welfare systems on policy implementation and social workers, from a street-level bureaucracy perspective, see Saruis T. (2015), Gli operatori sociali nel nuovo welfare, Roma, Carocci. Further readings for in-depth analysis will be suggested during the course.

For the objectives set by the course, it is necessary to adopt mixed teaching methods, where traditional lectures by the instructor will alternate synergistically with participatory teaching moments. Specifically, the course will include: – Lectures aimed at providing in-depth coverage of the course topics; – Individual study, which will involve four different types of activities (press review, data analysis, glossary, reading and commenting on texts), serving as preparation for in-class exercises; – In-class exercises.