Learning objectives
The course aims to: a) teach the origins, history and evolution of welfare systems in Europe, b) to teach the characteristics and dynamics of the main welfare areas: poverty, housing, work , work-care balance, elderly care, migration, c) to develop the ability to read and interpret in a critical way, and from a comparative perspective, the current welfare policies and measures and the challenges they face, d) to provide tools to be able to collect and understand normative sources, qualitative and quantitative data relating to welfare policies.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The course aims to provide conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools to deal with the analysis of welfare policies, from a comparative perspective. The first part will be dedicated to the origins of welfare, the first forms of assistance, the history and evolution of welfare systems and of concepts such as "poverty" and "poor". The second will be dedicated to an in-depth analysis, from a comparative perspective, of some areas of welfare: poverty, housing, work, work-care balance, elderly care, migration.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Ranci, C. e Pavolini, E. (2015) Le politiche di welfare, Il Mulino: Bologna
For attending students, the exam program may be partially different and may include readings provided by the lecturer (as alternative to parts of the book).
Teaching methods
In the first part of the course, the teaching activity will mainly include lectures and the lecturer will also stimulate discussions with and between students. The second part will alternate lectures with group exercises seminars. The lectures will be integrated with slides that will be uploaded weekly on the Elly platform. They do not substitute the reference book (Ranci & Pavolini, 2015). In agreement with the attending students and in consideration of their specific interests, supplementary seminars on topics of relevance (i.e. transformation of welfare policies, their implementation and analysis) may be organised.
Assessment methods and criteria
FOR BOTH ATTENDING AND NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
The exam will consist of a written test lasting 90 minutes, with 3 open questions, aimed at verifying the knowledge and understanding of the concepts and topics addressed during the course and the ability to elaborate, in written form, arguments and critical reflections, with an adequate academic language and by connecting interconnected themes. The final evaluation will consist in a mark (from 18 to 30). Each of the 3 questions will contribute to 1/3 of the final grade.
Other information
The lecturer is available for questions regarding the course, the contents and the exams. She invites non-attending students to contact her for any questions. For the academic year 2021/2022, she will be available on Tuesday, from 10 to 13 either in her office or online (Teams platform). Students are kindly asked to send an email to ask for an appointment either online or in person.
