73332 - STRATEGIE E STRUMENTI DELL'EMPOWERMENT E DELLA CITTADINANZA ATTIVA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students – they will know the meaning of empowerment and active citizenship – they will know the theorical basis and the referring models of empowerment and of the activa citizenship – they will know good practices of educational actions to promote empowerment and active citizenship – they are able to carry out the work of several local sinergies in order to promote an empowerment perspective for people and communities and the enhancement of encounters with the others, of solidarity. -they will be able to promote the partecipation to active citizenship and to start empowerment operative strategies- they will be able to analyse the debat about the empowerment and the active citizenship topics as main matters of the complex changes of the current society.

Course contents

The profound transformations shaping contemporary societies -including growing inequalities, ecological and digital transitions, migration, the crisis of democratic participation, increasing cultural diversity, and the fragmentation of social ties - require education professionals who are able to understand complexity, mobilise resources, build partnerships, and facilitate processes of change oriented towards social justice, sustainability, and the common good.

Within this perspective, the course examines the relationship between empowerment, active citizenship, educational planning and design, and social innovation. Empowerment is understood as a process through which individuals and communities develop critical awareness, autonomy, agency, and the capacity for collective action. Active citizenship is conceived as a practice of democratic participation, shared responsibility, and care for communities.

Particular attention is devoted to educational planning and design as a driver of social transformation, capable of identifying emerging needs, enhancing local resources, and fostering collaborative networks among public institutions, educational services, third-sector organisations, cultural institutions, and citizens. The course explores the principles of participatory planning, co-design, network-based collaboration, and collaborative governance, recognising planning as a democratic and collaborative practice that enables communities to shape social change.

The course focuses in particular on the following areas:

• Cultural Accessibility and Participation, as fundamental dimensions of citizenship and social justice. Through the analysis of participatory arts, community theatre, and innovative cultural initiatives, students will explore educational approaches that promote accessibility, remove barriers to participation, and foster people's active engagement in cultural and social life.
• Gender Citizenship, examined as a fundamental dimension of democracy, human rights, and social inclusion. The course analyses educational strategies and planning practices aimed at promoting gender equality, preventing discrimination and gender-based violence, and fostering inclusive environments grounded in the recognition of diversity and democratic participation.
• Social Innovation and Community Development, with particular attention to participatory co-design processes, cross-sector partnerships, learning communities, and collaborative and generative welfare approaches as strategies for strengthening civic participation, social cohesion, and communities' capacity to address contemporary challenges.

The course aims to develop the planning, reflective, relational, and ethical competencies required for future education professionals to work effectively in complex contexts, promoting individual and collective empowerment, democratic participation, and social innovation.

Ultimately, educational planning and design is understood not merely as a means of responding to emerging needs, but as a democratic practice that creates the conditions for individuals and communities to exercise their agency, contribute to the common good, and collectively imagine and build more just, inclusive, and sustainable futures.

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory textes for all students:

G. Moro, Cittadinanza attiva e qualità della democrazia, Milano, Carocci, 2013 (esclusa la PARTE TERZA)

L. Dallago, Che cos'è l'empowerment, Milano, Carocci, 2006

R. Camarlinghi e F. d'Angella, Il lavoro sociale in ottica di comunità. Idee, visioni, metodi di lavoro, Torino, Edizioni Gruppo Abele, 2023.

One of the following texts at your choice:

F. Faloppa, #Odio. Manuale di resistenza alla violenza delle parole, Milano, Utet, 2020.

F. Faloppa, Disarmare il discorso. Sulla militarizzazione del linguaggio, Firenze, Effequ, 2026.

A. Quarta e M. Spanò (a cura di), Beni comuni 2.0. Contro-egemonia e nuove istituzioni, Sesto San Giovanni (MI), Mimesis, 2016

L. Gobbi, F. Zanetti (a cura di), Teatri re-esistenti. Confronti su teatro e cittadinanze, Pisa, Titivillus, 2011  

E. Ostanel, Spazi fuori dal comune. Rigenerare, includere, innovare, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2017

H. Jenkins, Culture partecipative e competenze digitali. Media education per il XXI secolo, Milano, Guerini e Associati, 2010.

G. Priulla, C'è differenza. Identità di genere e linguaggi: storie, corpi, immagini e parole, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2013

G. Priulla, La libertà difficile delle donne. Ragionando di corpi e di poteri, Genova, Settenove, 2016

G. La Face, Mutilizioni genitali femminili. Oltre il rito e la ferita, Milano, Pubme, 2025.

(The list of optional readings is currently being finalized)

ERASMUS STUDENTS:

Erasmus students are kindly request to contact Prof. ssa Federica Zanetti to agree with her a specific programme.

Teaching methods

The course is based on a participatory and active teaching approach. The classroom becomes a place more and more focused on teaching methods and strategies able to encourage and facilitate the learning process in their link with the territory, with what's beyond the classroom. Lectures will be integrated by deepening classes and active role of the students in the analysis of the problems and innovative experiences. Students will be involved through discussions, case studies (also presented as privileged witnesses and experts), cooperative group-works.

The course will also be enriched by a series of thematic seminars featuring practitioners, researchers, representatives from third-sector organisations, and professionals leading innovative initiatives. These seminars will serve as a continuous thread throughout the course, providing opportunities for direct engagement with practices, projects, and processes related to social innovation, community development, active citizenship, cultural accessibility, and participatory planning and design. Conceived as spaces for dialogue and critical reflection, the seminars will foster meaningful connections between theory and practice, enabling students to analyse real-world experiences, engage with the challenges of the education profession, and strengthen their ability to understand the complexity of contemporary contexts and to design transformative educational interventions.

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.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an oral and individual examination (with a vote expressed in thirtieths).

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

During the lectures, technogical devices and material for teamwork will be used. The lectures will be integrated with documentaries and films and deepening classes.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Zanetti