33010 - Work with Groups of Adolescents and Young People

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students - will know the main theoretical approaches within social psychology of groups; - will know the main methods of interventions with groups of adolescents and young people; - will be able to choose and evaluate the applicability of the different methodologies and techniques of intervention; - will be able to develop and evaluate intervention projects for groups of young people.

Course contents

The aim of the course (second semester) is to provide theoretical and methodological instruments for working with groups of adolescents and young people, within formal (school) and community contexts. Moreover, instruments for interventions aimed at enhancing social participation will be presented.

Specific aims are the following:

a) to examine the normative and institutional context of projects and activities for young people (youth policies), at both national and European levels;

b) to discuss theoretical models within Psychology of Adolescence, on which interventions aimed at promoting positive youth development and psychosocial well being through social participation are based;

c) to examine the psychosocial processes characterizing the small group and group functions, with a particular attention to the period of adolescence and young adulthood;

d) to illustrate the main methodologies and techniques used to enhance young people involvement and social participation.

The programme includes two modules, dealing with the following topics: 

Module 1 (Prof. Elvira Cicognani)

Youth policies: approaches, aims and instruments. The concepts of social participation and active citizenship. Theoretical perspectives on the promotion of social participation.

Theoretical approaches on positive youth development in adolescence: from risk factors to assets. The model of positive youth development and its applications.

Module 2 (Prof. Cinzia Albanesi)

Group functioning: dynamics and processes. Communication, conflict, leadership.

The group in adolescence: characteristics and psychosocial functions.

Techniques of group work with adolescents and young people. Action research with young people and community development: community maps and photodiaries. Active listening and promotion of inclusive processes (focus group, brainstorming). Peer education. L'animazione territoriale.

Readings/Bibliography

1.Compulsory readings

Part 1

Regoliosi L., Misesti P, Terzi A. (2006), Giovani possibili. Adolescenti e nuovo welfare di comunità, La Meridiana, Molfetta.

Schwartz et al. (2007), Addressing the challenges and opportunities for today's youth: toward an integrative model and its implications for research and intervention, The Journal of Primary Prevention, 28, 2, 117-144.

Cicognani E. (2005), Partecipazione sociale. Quali benefici per gli adolescenti?, Psicologia di Comunità, 2.

Part 2

Graziani A.R., Rubini M., Palmonari A. (2006) Le funzioni psicosociali dei gruppi adolescenziali, Psicologia sociale, 1, 157-174.

Albanesi C. (2008) Ricerca intervento e sviluppo di comunità, in Colucci F.P., Colombo M., Montali L. (a cura di) “La ricerca-intervento: prospettive e ambiti”, Bologna, Il Mulino.

AA.VV. (2008) Il mondo dell'animazione socioculturale: orizzonti teorici e indicazioni per l'azione, Quaderni di Animazione sociale (http://animazionesociale.gruppoabele.org)

 

2.Further reading

Books

Besozzi E. (2009) Tra sogni e realtà. Gli adolescenti e la transizione alla vita adulta, Roma, Carocci.

Mannarini T. (2009) La cittadinanza attiva: psicologia sociale della partecipazione pubblica, Bologna, Il Mulino.

Bontempi M., Pocaterra R. (2007), I figli del disincanto: giovani e partecipazione politica in Europa, Milano, Mondatori.

Papers

Evans S. (2007) Youth Sense of community: voice and power in community context, Journal of Community Psychology, 35, No. 6, 693–709.

Morsillo J., Prilleltensky I. (2007) Social Action with youth: interventions, evaluation and psychopolitical validity, Journal of Community Psychology, 35, No. 6, 725–740

Wilson, N., Dasho, S., Martin, A.C. et al. (2007), Engaging Young Adolescents in Social Action Through Photovoice, The Journal of Early Adolescence,  27(2), 241-261.

Zeldin S., Petrokubi , MacNeil C. (2008) Youth-Adult Partnerships in Decision Making: Disseminating and Implementing an Innovative Idea into Established Organizations and Communities, American Journal of Community Psychology,  41, 262–277.

Further readings will be suggested in class

 

Teaching methods

Teaching methods will include lessons, exercises on group functioning and role playing in order to experiment the different techniques of group work.

Assessment methods

Students regularly attending classes: 

1)paper on a specific topic defined with professors

2)discussion on the paper and on the contents of the course 

Students not attending classes regularly:

oral examination on the following:

1)compulsory texts

2)one text from list A and one article from list B

Office hours

See the website of Elvira Cicognani

See the website of Cinzia Albanesi