32462 - Foundations of Welfare System Law

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will: - demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental legal principles governing welfare systems that are necessary for the competent design of educational and training interventions; be able to plan activities, establish collaborative relationships, and share knowledge with local social service agencies and organizations addressing situations of social disadvantage; be able to make a meaningful contribution to the design and planning of educational and social interventions by applying the basic legal knowledge acquired during the course; be familiar with the main digital applications, information technology tools, and legal databases used in the field of welfare law; be familiar with the principal sources of information relating to the topics covered in the course and be able to analyse them from a comparative perspective.

Course contents

The course provides students with the legal knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand the legal framework within which the welfare state operates, with particular reference to the welfare models characterising many European countries. In particular, the course examines the constitutional foundations, as well as the organisational and functional models of public and private intervention aimed at ensuring the protection of social rights.

More specifically, the course covers the following topics:

1. The concept of welfare and the evolution of the welfare state.

2. The constitutional foundations of welfare, with particular reference to the Italian Constitution.

3. The role of welfare in the European context.

4. The multilevel governance of welfare.

5. The main welfare systems:

Healthcare;

Social assistance;

Social security and pensions;

Education;

Labour market policies;

Active labour market policies.

6. The actors: public administrations and third-sector organisations.

7. Welfare policies, instruments, and governance tools (programming, planning, accreditation, and contractual arrangements).

8. The rights of service users.

Readings/Bibliography

The course topics can be studied and analyzed in depth using the following texts:
Bin, Donati, Pitruzzella, Lineamenti di diritto pubblico per i servizi sociali e sanitari, Giappichelli, 2024.
Students regularly attending lectures will be provided with a specific syllabus, supplemented by legislative texts or judicial rulings (case law) analyzed during class.

Teaching methods

The course is theoretical and will therefore be conducted through traditional lectures (didattica frontale).

The instructor reserves the right to organize in-depth seminars or other educational initiatives on current topics of relevance and interest to the students.

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed through an oral examination held during the official exam sessions, which will be scheduled with adequate advance notice. The exam will cover the topics and themes outlined in the syllabus.

For attending students, the final assessment will be preceded by a written mid-term assignment covering a portion of the syllabus, aimed at evaluating the student's understanding of the topics discussed in class. This assignment is optional and will be scheduled halfway through the course on a date agreed upon with the interested students. A passing grade on this test will be awarded out of thirty points (on a 30-point scale). A passing grade will exempt the student from being tested on those specific topics during the final oral examination.

Teaching tools

Slides and supplementary materials will be made available to students to ensure better accessibility to the educational content. Furthermore, upon request by the students concerned, additional tools or accommodations will be provided for students with disabilities.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Piperata