95682 - Social Innovation, Local Development and Collective Action

Learning outcomes

The course aims to explore the concept of social innovation by relating it to some of the emerging themes of contemporary sociology, from sustainability to local development, from cultural production to the theme of individual and collective freedom and human rights. The perspective adopted within the course is that of collective action, with reference to those cultural and social movements that aim to support fairer and more equitable processes of change. At the end of the course, the students will acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to analyse social innovation and its potential in terms of social transformation and collective action, adopting a critical and reflexive approach to these issues.

Course contents

The recent changes that have affected social structures and transformed relations between the social and economic spheres, between the local and the global, between individuals and communities, represent a major challenge. In this context even more steeped in inequalities, however, the power of solidarity actions and collective mobilisation, the strength of civil society and territorial networks, associations, and resilient communities is also reaffirmed.

During the first part of the course, the concept of social innovation as collective action will be critically explored, studying its origins and areas of application. The topics covered will then focus on how social innovations, the result of collective struggles and reflections, can promote social and environmental justice, sharing practices and grassroots resistance. From a sociological point of view, the course will focus on people's creative capacity to imagine a different future, composed of emerging innovative practices ranging from care communities to responsible tourism, from alternative forms of education to artivism.

In particular, the course is divided into several main thematic blocks:

THEMATIC BLOCK 1: Understanding social innovation, between challenges and potential. This thematic block will address the origins of the concept of social innovation, the two main conceptual families and areas of application (e.g. housing system, economy, rights, culture, environment, etc.).

THEMATIC BLOCK 2: Understanding the links between social innovation and development. This section will critically examine the major development models and the inequalities associated with them, focusing on the dimensions of social innovation as a bottom-up organisational device

THEMATIC BLOCK 3: Socio-environmental justice. Starting from a critical view of the concept of sustainability, this thematic block will address the issue of social and environmental justice, as well as the mechanisms of recognition, redistribution and political representation.

THEMATIC BLOCK 4: Imaginaries, culture and artivism. This section will focus on social innovation that leverages artistic and cultural practices, conveying alternative imaginaries to fight against hegemonic narratives on global social phenomena (e.g. migration, climate change, etc.).

Each thematic block will be accompanied by the presentation and analysis of several case studies that will facilitate the learning of theoretical knowledge, and by the direct participation of guests who will bring their testimonies to the lecture.

Readings/Bibliography

Moralli, M. (2022). "L'abc dell'innovazione sociale, tra sostenibilità, creatività e sviluppo", Bologna University Press, Bologna.

Moralli, M. (2022). Innovazione sociale e cultura: intersezioni e congiungimenti. In: Il valore sociale della cultura, Milano, Franco Angeli.

Alberio, M., Moralli, M. (2021). Social innovation in alternative food networks. The role of co-producers in Campi Aperti, Journal of Rural Studies, 82, pp. 447 – 457

Teaching methods

The course favors an approach based on participative and active teaching. Teaching is carried out with lessons divided into thematic blocks and will be supported by technological materials, in-depth seminars, discussion on concrete cases of social innovation, practical exercises, and collective analysis of social innovation practices on the Italian and international scene. The lectures will be supplemented by in-depth studies and direct comparisons with various innovative experiments through direct testimonies and dialogues with some social innovators. Students will be asked to actively participate in the lectures and present a final work in the form of a group presentation on a chosen case of social innovation, to facilitate individual and collective learning.

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS:

To be considered as attending students, it is necessary to carry out and present the group work assigned in class. The learning assessment consists of a written exam (2/3 open questions) at the end of the course. Periodic class discussions, exercises and group work will be of an evaluative nature and will serve as a means of checking individual learning. During the learning assessment, one aspect that will be evaluated positively will be not only the ability to present the various concepts studied in class, but also the critical ability to apply these concepts to concrete cases of social innovation.

As an alternative to the written test, students may take the oral exam during the scheduled dates.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

Oral exam on the topics covered within the texts assigned in the bibliography. During the learning assessment, one aspect that will be assessed positively will be not only the ability to present the various concepts studied in class but also the critical ability to apply these concepts to concrete cases of social innovation.

Teaching tools

PPTs related to the topics covered during the course, audio-visual material and group work. For the preparation of the exam, the student is required to prepare the texts indicated. An extensive bibliography in Italian, English and French will be provided for those wishing to study the subject in more depth.

Office hours

See the website of Melissa Moralli