The course clarifies the concepts of social policies and Welfare State in a comparative perspective, with a critical approach and with reference to relevant theoretical traditions (policy studies). The third part of the course will be devoted to a critical analysis of reflexive social service practices through in-class practical exercises.
Reading list (attending students)
Ferrera, M. (2019). Le politiche sociali. (Terza edizione). Bologna, Il Mulino. Capitoli 2, 3, 5.
Ranci, C., & Pavolini, E. (2015). Le politiche di welfare. Bologna, Il Mulino. Capitoli 2, 3, 7, 8, 9.
Gori, C., Ghetti, V., Rusmini, G., & Tidoli, R. (2014). Il welfare sociale in Italia. Realtà e prospettive. Roma, Carocci. Capitoli 5 e 10.
Fazzi, L. (2015). Servizio sociale riflessivo: metodi e tecniche per gli assistenti sociali. Milano: Franco Angeli.
Ricucci, R. (2018). (Nuova edizione). Cittadini senza cittadinanza. Immigrati, seconde e altre generazioni: pratiche quotidiane tra inclusione ed estraneità. Torino: SEB27, Capitoli 2, 3, 4 pp. 21-87.
Non attending students need to read all the above plus three additional readings of choice from the following list:
1) Ferrera, M. (2019). Le politiche sociali. Terza edizione. Bologna, Il Mulino. Capitoli 2, 4.
2) Ranci, C., & Pavolini, E. (2015). Le politiche di welfare. Bologna, Il Mulino. Capitoli 4, 6.
3) Gori, C., Ghetti, V., Rusmini, G., & Tidoli, R. (2014). Il welfare sociale in Italia. Realtà e prospettive. Roma, Carocci. Capitolo 11.
4) Saraceno. C. (2009). Le politiche della famiglia in Europa: tra convergenza e diversificazione. In: Stato e mercato, 29(1), pp. 3-30.
5) Saraceno, C. (2014). Simmetrie perverse. I paradossi delle politiche di contrasto alla povertà negli anni della crisi in Italia. In: Social Policies, 1(1), pp. 27-40.
6) Sgritta, G. B. (2020). Politiche e misure della povertà: il reddito di cittadinanza, Social Policies, 6 (1), pp. 39-56.
7) Madama, I., & Jessoula, M. (2019). Compliance, gatekeeping o affermazione della sovranità nazionale? Risultati e limiti di «Europa 2020» nella lotta alla povertà. Social Policies, 6(1), pp. 159-178.
8) G. Bateson, Verso un’ecologia della mente, Adelphi, Milano, 2000 (o edizione più recente). Solo i saggi della Parte VI: “Le radici della crisi ecologica”, “Ecologia e flessibilità nella civiltà urbana”.
N.B.: The reading list may change.
If you are an Erasmus student, it is possible to take the exam in English. You can integrate the above-mentioned list with the following texts:
- Garland, D. (2016). The Welfare State: a brief introduction, Oxford University Press.
- Fazzi, L. (2016). "Are we educating creative professionals? The results of some experiments on the formation of social work Students in Italy" in Social work education, v. 35, n. 1 (2016), p. 89-99.
Learning Objectives
A solid knowledge of the Italian Welfare State in a critical and comparative perspective and the ability to create relevant links between theory and practice.
Prerequisites
A good knowledge of classical sociological theory is desirable but not essential.
Teaching Methods
Interactive lectures; seminars; group exercises; in-class discussions.
Further information
Please, see the MOODLE learning space and the lecturer’s webpage (Alessandro Pratesi)
Contact: a.pratesi@unifi.it
Type of Assessment
In class participation and debates; written mid-term exam; final written examination.
Course program
The course provides a theoretical and comparative approach to the analysis and understanding of the Italian Welfare State. The first part of the course, theoretically oriented, reconstructs the historical origins of the modern Welfare State and focuses on the specificities of the Italian model (an almost ideal typical model of the Mediterranean welfare state) in relation to other European welfare models, with a specific consideration of the new social risks. The second part of the course (II module), is based on a deeper exploration and analysis of specific public policies: pension policies, work policies, health and social care policies, work-care balance policies, migration policies, etc. In each of these areas, the foundations and the characteristics of the current Italian welfare state are examined in broad terms, highlighting its complexities through a comparison with other European states and discussing its ability to respond to the multiple challenges emerging from ongoing social transformations and economic crises. The third part of the course (module III) will be devoted to a critical analysis of reflexive social service practices based on an overview of the daily work of social workers which will be carried out through in-class practical exercises. A general evaluation of the developments of the deficient Italian welfare, potential gaps in the current literature, and the analysis of possible future scenarios will underline the overall learning process and approach of this course.