B8978 - SISTEMI DI WELFARE E POVERTA'

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the concepts of poverty and in-work poverty and the main indicators to measure these phenomena; the student knows the labor law instruments, as well as social security and social security ones, useful for combating poverty and vulnerability, in order to understand the content and meaning of the constitutional welfare state model.

Course contents

The course aims to examine the Italian welfare system, as well as the policies and legal instruments designed to address poverty and in-work poverty, adopting a legal perspective while also acknowledging the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to these issues.

The course will begin with an analysis of the concepts of welfare and poverty, before moving on to an examination of labour, social security and social assistance measures and policies that can contribute to preventing and combating poverty.

In particular, the course will explore the following topics:

• The definition, dimensions and measurement of poverty and in-work poverty.
• The concept and models of welfare.
• The Italian welfare state: the historical evolution of welfare and the constitutional provisions underpinning the social state. The sources, actors, organisational structure and financing mechanisms of social security; the protected interest and scope of social security protection; the social security contribution relationship.
• The Italian poverty regime and the historical evolution of welfare in Italy.
• Public policies to combat poverty and social exclusion: unemployment protection; the Inclusion Allowance (Assegno di inclusione); healthcare policies; housing and family policies; income-support measures in cases of suspension of the employment relationship; long-term care policies; pensions.
• Measures to combat in-work poverty: employment stability and continuity; types of employment contracts and the incidence of in-work poverty risk according to contractual arrangements; in-work benefits; the relationship between wages and in-work poverty; the right to fair remuneration under Italian law; Directive (EU) 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union and its implementation; minimum wages and “fair” wages; the family dimension of in-work poverty (IWP); work–family reconciliation policies.

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students, the required reading materials will be indicated and provided during the lectures, and uploaded to Virtuale.

Non-attending students will prepare for the examination based on the following texts:

E. Ales, G. Canavesi, D. Casale, R. Casillo, M. Esposito, G. Ludovico, R. Vianello, Profili giuridici della sicurezza sociale, Giappichelli, 2026, limited to Chapters I, II, III, IV, VI, VII and IX.

or

M. Persiani, M. Martone, Diritto della sicurezza sociale, Giappichelli, 2025, limited to Chapters I, II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X.

In addition, students are required to study in depth one of the following books, at their choice:

1. G. Marchi, Adeguatezza della retribuzione e tutela della dignità sociale. Profili lavoristici del contrasto al lavoro povero, Bologna, Bologna University Press, 2025, available at https://buponline.com/wp-content/uploads/wpforms/6916-177d1ace04f50ba0844163d509262eab/d-2-621-cicu-345-marchi-fabd2e054308730b0c870d12c5ff7ddb.pdf, limited to Chapter II (specifically Sections 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3 and 3.3), Chapters III and IV (specifically Sections 1 and 1.1).

or

1. C. Ranci, E. Pavolini, Le politiche di welfare. Second edition, Il Mulino, 2024, limited to Chapter IV; Chapter V (Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6); Chapter VI (Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6); and Chapter VII.

or

1. E. Morlicchio, Sociologia della povertà, Il Mulino, 2020, limited to Chapters V and VIII.

or

1. C. Saraceno, D. Benassi, E. Morlicchio, La povertà in Italia. Soggetti, meccanismi, politiche, Il Mulino, 2022, limited to Chapters I, V, VI and the Conclusions.

Additional readings considered essential for understanding the topics covered in the course and for keeping students’ knowledge of the relevant legal and social security institutions up to date will be uploaded to Virtuale, in a dedicated folder for non-attending students.

Teaching methods

Teaching will consist of lectures presenting the topics of the course and discussion sessions, based on readings and activities to involve the students in the discussion.

Assessment methods

Classes will be held during the second semester; therefore, exams will be in May.

For attending students who attend classes, the exam will consist in the writing, in the presentation, and in the discussion of a paper on a topic agreed upon with the professor, among those addressed in the course.

For non-attending students, the exam will involve an interview with the professor covering the topics outlined in the previous sections (see “Contents" and "Readings/Bibliography"). During the exam, knowledge of institutional profiles will be assessed to determine whether learning objectives have been achieved. Also the ability to make connections and to develop critical arguments, as well as clarity of presentation will be assessed.

The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

- Lack of knowledge of basic topics necessary for understanding the subject matter and inability to analyze them, even with the instructor's support → insufficient.

- Knowledge of basic topics covered in the course, exhibiting analytical skills with the instructor's assistance, using generally correct language → 18-19.

- Knowledge of a limited number of topics covered in the course, with independent analysis skills applicable only to straightforward questions, using correct language → 20-24.

- Knowledge of a large number of topics covered in the course, with the ability to make critical analysis choices and to use specific terminology effectively → 25-29.

- Comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course, with the ability to make independent critical analysis and connection choices, mastery of specific terminology, and strong skills in argumentation and self-reflection → 30-30L.

Teaching tools

For supporting teaching activities, particularly for sharing materials used during lessons, University's platform "Virtuale" will be used.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the office responsible ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Marchi