17265 - Social Policies

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to know fundamental definitions, concepts, theories and issues related to social policies. At the end of the course, they will be able to describe and conceptualize social policies through a sociological code.

Course contents

In the first part the course will briefly deal with main concepts, definitions and topics regarding origin, ‘crisis' and evolution of European and Italian welfare system, giving specific attention to definitions and concepts relating to social policies and their transformation.

In the second part the course will outline the framework of Italian social policies and will focus  on main elements related to development, differentiation and change of social policies: normative elements; orientations and cultures; patterns of intervention; levels of government and governance; financial resources; key players, practices, social needs.

Specific attention will be given to underline and explain how socio-cultural variables influence orientation and organisation of social policies, as they refer both to characteristics and expectations of people, and to choices of decision makers, managers and social workers.

Readings/Bibliography

Il corso si basa sullo studio dei seguenti testi, che costituiranno materia d’esame:

F. Franzoni, M. Anconelli, La rete dei servizi alla persona. Dalla normativa all’organizzazione. Nuova edizione, Carocci, Roma, 2014

U. Ascoli, E. Pavolini, “Ombre rosse. Il sistema di welfare italiano dopo venti anni di riforme”, in Stato e Mercato, n. 96, dicembre 2012

C. Saraceno, “L’assistenza senza il welfare”, il Mulino, n. 4, 2009

L. Fazzi, “Il terzo settore e i limiti del paradigma dei regimi di welfare”, in Sociologia e politiche sociali, n. 1, 2013

M. Ferrera, “Neowelfarismo liberale: nuove prospettive per lo stato sociale in Europa”, in Stato e Mercato, n. 1, 2013

Y. Kazepov, “Le politiche socioassistenziali”, in A. Ascoli (a cura di), Il welfare in Italia, il Mulino, Bologna, 2011

A. Martelli, Le politiche socio-assistenziali in Italia: caratteri, dinamiche e questioni aperte, in R. Rizza, F. Bonvicini (a cura di), Attori e territori del welfare, Angeli, Milano, 2014

G.B. Sgritta, voce “Assistenza sociale”, in Enciclopedia delle Scienze Sociali, Treccani, Roma, 1991

NB. Erasmus students are allowed to study the following texts:

A. Andreotti, E. Mingione, “Local welfare systems in Europe and the economic crisis”, European Urban and Regional Studies, vol. 23 (3), 2016

U. Ascoli, E. Pavolini (eds), The Italian welfare state in a European perspective: A comparative analysis, Policy Press, Bristol, 2015 (selected chapters)

Y. Kazepov, C. Ranci, “Is every country fit for social investment? Italy as an adverse case”, Journal of european social policy, vol. 27 (1), 2016

B. Palier, “Social policy paradigms, welfare state reforms and the crisis”, Stato e Mercato, n. 1, 2013

C. Saraceno, “Three concurrent crises in welfare states in an increasingly asymmetrical European Union”, Stato e Mercato, n. 3, 2013

Teaching methods

Lectures will refer to handbooks, articles, statistics, empirical studies, with the aim of introducing the sociological analysis of social policies both at a theoretical and at an operational level. Particular attention will be given to sociological definitions and to the sociological code.

Assessment methods

Exam for full-time students will consist in two mid-term written exams and in a final oral exam  regarding the part of the course not covered by the written examination.

Full-time students who don't do or don't pass mid-term exams and non attending students will be evaluated through an oral exam, according to the sessions that will be indicated.

Exams will check the capacity to use fundamental concepts and theories, particularly for what concerns variables, aspects and challenges related to the evolution of social policies in the Italian context.

Erasmus students will have the possibility to study on alternative, selected texts in english language (see section "Readings/Bibliography")

Teaching tools

Pc, slides, internet

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Martelli