73330 - PEDAGOGIA DELLE MIGRAZIONI

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - is familiar with the main theoretical approaches to the phenomenon of migration and with the phenomenological paradigm in education; - knows the sociological approach to the figure of the foreigner, understood both as a social category and as an analytical lens for exploring the foundational dimensions of communal life; - is knowledgeable about the construction of knowledge and social reality, the insider vs. outsider perspective, cultural universalism and relativism, stereotypes and prejudices, ordinary and institutional communication as a site and means for the construction of social identities; - is able to critically analyze the ways in which the Other and the Elsewhere have traditionally been conceptualized, and how representations of the Other and the Elsewhere are embodied in practical courses of action.

Course contents

The course addresses the topic of migration and human mobility from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on studies and reflections from various fields of scientific research. A pedagogical focus on the processes of sociocultural apprenticeship will be accompanied by the analysis of recent research in sociology, anthropology, linguistics, law, and political science. This plurality of perspectives will help us grasp the complexity and nuances of the social, cultural, economic, and political dynamics that characterize contemporary migrations. Throughout the entire course, theoretical and empirical content will be accompanied by practical exercises and joint activities on case studies, allowing us to connect theoretical concepts with real-world educational settings. The aim of the course is to provide tools, theoretical frameworks, and interpretive keys to support the professional development of teachers and educators in highly diverse contexts. At the same time, the course seeks to contribute to the overall social and cultural development of students.

Phenomenology, language, and categorization processes
The course begins with some reflections on the phenomenological paradigm and the central role of the subject in the process of interpretation and construction of a certain social reality. Based on this theoretical framework, we will delve into the relationships between language, representation, and the categorization of reality, devoting particular attention to models of otherness, the figure of the migrant, stereotypes, and prejudices. We will also discuss the role of language and social interaction in the local construction and negotiation of specific social identities, and we will explore the concept of (communicative) competence and its implications for educational professionals.

Diversity and Intersubjectivity in Communities of Practice
Reflections on language and cultural representations will introduce us to the concepts of culture and intersubjectivity, which we will also examine in light of the processes of fragmentation and diversification within the social and cultural landscape of our communities. We will discuss the risks of adopting a culturalist perspective on diversity and explore approaches that consider the multiplicity of experiences and perspectives that characterize today’s heterogeneous contexts. These reflections on the inherent diversity of contemporary communities will also be explored diachronically, attempting to trace the processes of continuity, hybridization, and change that have shaped their evolution over time.

Practices and Policies of Migration
We will examine the phenomenon of migration through several classical dichotomies in the social sciences — agency and structure, micro and macro — highlighting the intersections between professional practice in educational services and the broader issues that influence and shape their everyday unfolding. This perspective will be complemented by a historical reading of human mobility and by the study of the forms of governance and political regulation at the local, national, and international levels.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students

• Tabboni, Simonetta. 2006. Lo straniero e l'altro. Napoli: Liguori.
• Zoletto, Davide. 2022. Migrazioni, complessità, territori. Prospettive per l’azione educativa. Roma: Carrocci.

Non-attending students

• Nasi, Nicola. 2022. Pratiche di inclusione ed esclusione in classe. Socializzazione e organizzazione sociale nel gruppo dei pari. Roma: Armando (only chapters 1 and 2). You can find it here: https://www.armandoeditore.it/catalogo/pratiche-di-inclusione-ed-esclusione-in-classe-socializzazione-e-organizzazione-sociale-nel-gruppo-dei-pari/
• Tabboni, Simonetta. 2006. Lo straniero e l'altro. Napoli: Liguori.
• Tarabusi, Federica. 2014. Politiche dell’accoglienza, pratiche della differenza. Servizi e migrazioni sotto la lente delle politiche pubbliche. Archivio Antropologico Mediterraneo, 16(1). You can find it here: https://www.archivioantropologicomediterraneo.it/riviste/estratti_16-1/03.pdf
• Zoletto, Davide. 2022. Migrazioni, complessità, territori. Prospettive per l’azione educativa. Roma: Carrocci.

International students

International students are welcome and may contact the teacher to discuss an alternative program in English.

Teaching methods

The course is part of the University of Bologna’s innovative teaching program and will be delivered in a hybrid format. In-person lectures will alternate with online sessions dedicated to group work and exercises based on case studies. These group projects will be discussed and further explored in class, alongside the presentation and discussion of theoretical and empirical content.

This collaborative and participatory approach is designed to foster the development of transversal skills, including interpersonal communication, the critical and reflective use of digital tools, and the ability to deliver reports and presentations to diverse audiences.

Assessment methods

Attending Students

• Active participation in group work and presentation of the results. The evaluation criteria for group work and presentations will be discussed during the course.
• A short oral exam on the texts listed in the bibliography and the topics discussed in class.

Non-Attending Students

• Oral exam based on the texts in the bibliography. The evaluation will be based on content knowledge, clarity and effectiveness of presentation, and critical thinking.

International Students

• Oral exam on the texts agreed upon with the teacher, in English.

Teaching tools

During the course, we will use Virtuale and Teams along with various tools such as slides, videos, transcripts, texts and articles, databases, and open-source software.

Office hours

See the website of Nicola Nasi