Learning objectives
The course aims at discussing the broad concept of peace through a multidisciplinary approach. More specifically – building upon research and teaching carried out by its faculty in the field of economics, sociology, international and European Union law and political science – B4PEACE aims at investigating both the internal and the external dimension of peace in the European Union. On the one hand, its goal is to explore the theoretical determinants of the European Peace at the domestic level (the development of the European Social Model as a tool for social cohesion and its possible evolution); on the other, it aims at discussing its main international implications (the promotion of democracy, peace and security by the European Union).
Knowledge and Understanding:
the course provides students with an overview of the European peace in its multiple dimensions. It also offers some theoretical tools that are needed to critically understand both the evolution of the Welfare state in Europe and the principles that shape the European Foreign Policy. At the end of the course, students will acquire a basic knowledge of the European Social Model and understand the role of the EU as a Global Actor of Peace.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
peace is a multi-faceted phenomenon that has to be studied in its multiple dimensions. For this reason, besides knowledge, the course will provide students with a method for the study of social science phenomena, adopting an innovative approach to teaching. At the end of the course, students should be able to apply their knowledge to the study of other relevant social issues, analyzing social science topics through a multidisciplinary approach.
Making judgments:
the course offers a multidisciplinary knowledge on the evolution of the European Social Model and on the European approach to foreign policy. At the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to formulate their own point of view on those issues, critically understanding both the relationship between economic growth, social inclusion and welfare policies carried out in the EU, and the European Union’s role in maintaining and promoting peace, democracy and human rights also outside its borders.
Communication:
the inter- and multidisciplinary of the course should also impact on students’ ability to communicate their own point of view on European issues using the jargon that is used in Politics, Sociology, Law and Economics. Moreover, at the end of the course they should be able to clearly express and debate any point related to both the European Social Model and the European Foreign and Security Policy, making reference to the main theoretical perspectives and to the founding principles of the European Union.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
For a course description, see https://cdl-spri.unipr.it/b4peace
Please note that the whole program for the B4PEACE course (including schedule, required readings and assessment methods and criteria) will be available on the project website (www.b4peace.unipr.it) and on Elly before the beginning of the course. Students are advised to check out those websites for a better understanding of the course.
The Political Economy module is divided into two parts:
FIRST PART (Prof. Degli Antoni)
This activity will introduce the concept of Social Welfare and then discuss how it can be improved with the involvement of public and private stakeholders. In the first class, the notion of welfare will be discussed, by considering different models of welfare state (Esping-Andersen 1990). In the second class a new paradigm based on a multi-stakeholder approach to the idea of social welfare involving different actors (State, profit and non-profit firms, citizens) will be presented. In particular, the attention will be focused on:
- The concept of welfare state
- Different models of welfare state
- A new concept of social welfare system based on a multi-stakeholder approach
SECOND PART (Prof. Faillo)
This activity is aimed at introducing students to the concept of shared social responsibility as way to address, at the European level, major social changes that risk to undermining the social achievement of XX century: the increase of poverty, aging and immigration, the erosion social cohesion, the consequences of climate change, etc.
Shared social responsibility entails the adoption of a new paradigm that goes beyond the traditional view of the relation between the market and the state and starts to recognize responsibilities of private actors (firms, consumers, non-profit organizations) in the promotion of social welfare and social cohesion and the need for the adoptions of shared values, objectives and actions. In particular, the attention will be focused on:
- The Market and the State: the classical view.
- Responsibility: individual and social responsibility.
- Shared-social responsibility: definition and implementation strategies.
Full programme
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Bibliography
The program and all readings materials will be available on the project website (www.b4peace.unipr.it) and on Elly before the beginning of the course.
FIRST PART (Prof. Degli Antoni)
- Esping-Andersen, G. (1990), The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, London: Polity, ch.1-3
- Toso, Il reddito di cittadinanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2016, ch. 1
SECOND PART (Prof. Faillo)
The main reference for this part is the volume: Council of Europe, (2011),Towards a Europe of shared social responsibilities: challenges and strategies, Council of Europe Publishing.
Teaching methods
Theoretical approach (lecture) and case study analysis (FIRST PART). Seminar-style lectures with the involvement of a Political Scientist as a discussant; debates and discussion of case studies (SECOND PART)
Assessment methods and criteria
Attending Students will be evaluated through a midterm exam and a final paper.
MIDTERM: The midterm exam will be scheduled after the first part of the B4PEACE course for attending students. The midterm exam will be written and divided in two sections:
a) a first section with 10 closed-ended questions (multiple choice) on topics discussed in the first part of the course;
b) a second section with 4 open-ended questions on topics discussed in the first part of the course.
Students’ knowledge and understanding of concepts, approaches and paradigms will be assessed through the first, multiple choice section (1 point for each question). Their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding, and to make judgements will be verified through the four open questions (5 points max for each question).
FINAL EXAM: For the second part of the course, students will be asked to submit a short essay connecting issues that have been discussed in seminars with EXT Professors. This final exam will also evaluate Students’ ability to make interdisciplinary references among topics.
Non attending Students are kindly required to contact the module’s coordinator for the required readings and the evaluation
Other information
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