Learning objectives
The course aims to outline the function and professional specification of the figure of the Social Worker in emergency contexts determined by disasters; to deepen and consolidate the professional tools and reference models for the social worker who intervenes in emergency situations; to know the scope of intervention of the social worker in the Italian civil protection system. It is expected that at the end of the course the student will be able to acquire some fundamental notions in order not to be unprepared when faced with a maxi emergency situation.
Prerequisites
The course has no prerequisites
Course unit content
Very different professionalities intervene and cooperate in emergency situations: some of them fully integrated in the relief system and in the collective imagination (volunteers, firefighters, logistical experts, etc.), others such as social workers, not yet fully recognized and integrated. This does not detract from the fact that social workers have shown that they have extraordinary potential and capacity in this area; in fact, experience in the field shows how crucial and relevant their contribution is already from the very early stages of the relief effort, and then subsequently until the restoration of normal conditions. Reflection on their experiences during disasters in recent decades, comparison among colleagues, reworking of materials and insights related to the general debate about the role of professional social service in emergency conditions, converge to identify a professional space consistent with the social service mandate, while respecting the code of ethics. Equally clear emerges the fact that the characteristics of the intervention require proceeding to a strengthening of professional identity and specifically targeted skills. The course aims to explore the possible role of the Social Service and specifically the Social Worker in emergency and natural disaster contexts. With respect to the recognition of an important and peculiar space of intervention, there is a need to promote the diffusion in ordinary time of a widespread professionalization that enables timely, effective and competent intervention in the moment of emergency.
Full programme
The course aims to provide the student with some basics on the organization of relief in the context of maxi emergencies (the civil defense), the difference between mass emergencies (disasters) and personal and individual emergencies (emergency social work), and between ordinary and emergency work. In addition, through comparing the professional experience of social work in ordinary with that of emergency work, the main methodological and deontological elements in social work and social work in emergencies will be addressed, how to cope with critical and emergency situations and how to be prepared in professional work in case of disaster.
Bibliography
- Gli ambiti di intervento del servizio sociale. A cura di Anna Maria Campanini,. Capitolo 6” Servizio sociale e situazioni di emergenza” di Stefania Pelosio, pag. da 119 a 138, Nuova edizione aprile 2020, Carocci Faber
- Nuovo dizionario di servizio sociale. Diretto da Annamaria Campanini, Carocci editore Faber. Edizione 2022 Alla voce Servizio sociale ed Emergenze
- Servizio Sociale e calamità naturali. Interventi di servizio sociale, AA.VV. Edizioni EISS, 2016, pagine 163
- Il Servizio sociale in emergenza. Esperienze e prospettive dall’Abruzzo all’Emilia, a cura di R.T. Di Rosa, Aracne editrice, 2013, pagine 212
- Pronto intervento sociale: intorno a emergenza e urgenza, Andrea Mirri, in Studi Zancan, settembre/ottobre n.5 – 2016, pag. da 28 a 35
Teaching methods
The teaching activities will be carried out mainly by face-to-face lectures, in all cases favoring dialogical discussion with students. There will also be short moments of practice. The slides and material used in the course ,will be made available on the Elly platform, also used for communications and notices.
Assessment methods and criteria
The mode of assessment of the objectives achieved will be through a WRITTEN examination test (multiple choice quiz) with No. 30 questions, covering all topics covered during lectures, seminars and contents in the bibliography, aimed at assessing the study and learning of theoretical/practical concepts.
The test has a duration of 1 hour. Each question is worth 1 point, for a maximum total of 30 points.
As for grades, 30 points correspond to 30/Lode, 29 points to 30/30, 28 points to 28/30, and so on. The test is considered passed with a minimum of 18 points.
The student must compulsorily answer all questions. Each unanswered question will be counted as an error.
For Erasmus and special needs students, the duration of the test will be 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Other information
Student reception will be held by prior arrangement with the lecturer at the end of the lecture and afterwards, again by appointment, possibly also remotely on TEAMS platform.
