95682 - INNOVAZIONE SOCIALE, SVILUPPO LOCALE E AZIONE COLLETTIVA

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. 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 development. 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. It is now clear that the spread of Covid-19 is no longer just a health emergency, but is turning out to be a systemic crisis that affects economies and societies in different ways, integrating with structural and emerging social and environmental challenges. 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 course, therefore, an attempt will be made to understand the role of collective action in proposing different models of collaboration and development, capable of bringing out shared capabilities and social innovation. The themes that will be addressed will therefore revolve around the ways in which social innovations, resulting from collective struggles and reflections, can promote the values of social and environmental justice, sustainability and sharing. From a sociological point of view, it is therefore necessary to see how, starting from people's creative capacity, it is possible to imagine a different future, made up of emerging innovative practices ranging from caring communities to responsible tourism, from alternative forms of education to intercultural artistic production.

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

THEMATIC BLOCK 1: Getting to know social innovation, between challenges and potentials

THEMATIC BLOCK 2: Understanding the links between social innovation and development

THEMATIC BLOCK 3: Sustainability and resilience

THEMATIC BLOCK 4: Imaginaries, culture and creativity

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.

Barbera F. (2020). L’innovazione sociale: aspetti concettuali, problematiche metodologiche e implicazioni per l’agenda della ricerca. Il Mulino -Rivisteweb, 1, pp. 131-148.

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

Tremblay, D. G., Pilati, T. (2013). Social innovation through arts and creativity. In: Moulaert, F. et al. (eds.). The International Handbook on Social Innovation: Collective Action, Social Learning and Transdisciplinary Research, pp. 67-79. Edward Elgar, London.

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 intermediate exam at the end of the course, periodic class discussions, exercises and group work that 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. The examination programme is similar to that of non-attenders.

Specifically, the following elements will be assessed: active participation in class, the realisation and presentation of group work and the written midterm exam. As an alternative to the midterm 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