WELFARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The course addresses the main objectives of the Master’s degree in Work, Social Citizenship, Interculturality by enabling students to understand the intersection between welfare state and environmental policies, and to analyse to what extent concrete eco-social policies adopted at different levels of governance (from international to local levels) conduct to sustainable welfare states.

The main aims of the course are:

- to provide students with extensive and interdisciplinary knowledge of the developments within the eco-social theoretical debate that bridge social policy and environmental thinking,
- to equip students with the conceptual tools to understand and critically analyse the interplay between social and environmental policies,
- to engage students in the critical analysis of texts on the topics covered in the course through in-class presentations on selected readings.

Knowledge and understanding

The course will offer an in-depth knowledge of the main theoretical accounts setting forth the creation of a sustainable welfare state. Moreover, the course will examine policies adopted at local, national and supra-national level to adapt social polices to environmental issues. As a result, students attending this course will:
- gain a broad knowledge of the theories dealing with the development of a sustainable welfare state,
- understand the major challenges lying in combining social and environmental policies,
- analyse the eco-social policies and practices recently implemented to achieve a sustainable welfare state.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply knowledge and understanding of the main developments within welfare state theory to the analysis of social and environmental policies and practices.

Evaluation skills

During the course, students will be asked to develop independent thought and evidence-based arguments about the topics examined in the lectures.

Communication skills

The students will communicate in an effective way the key points of theoretical and empirical research in individual in-class presentations and group discussions.

Learning skills

The students will present and critically evaluate academic texts, organise information and employ research-based evidence to advance arguments. With the role-playing simulation students will also identify, define and solve "real world" problems.

Previous knowledge of welfare state/social policy theory and policy-making is desirable.

The course will examine the intersection between environmental and welfare state policies and to what extent environmental sustainability problems have been addressed in contemporary welfare systems. To do so, the course will discuss the main theories postulating a sustainable welfare state and provide an insight into the policies adopted at global, European, national and local levels to achieve this goal.

The course is divided in two parts: The first part will provide the main theoretical and conceptual background on sustainable welfare and the eco-social debate. Classes will be devoted to the critical analysis and discussion of the concepts and the main issues studied by the emergent community of scholars on sustainable welfare and eco-social policies. The second part of the course will look into detail at some examples of eco-social policies keeping in mind the theoretical and conceptual tools acquired in the first part of the course. A role-playing simulation of a panel of experts called to discuss and deliberate on local eco-social policies will help students familiarise with decision-making procedures and develop their capacity to approach and analyse real-world problems. The last class will discuss the relationship between sustainable welfare states and future generations.

The course is based on a collection of scholarly articles and books’ chapters. Some topics may also be based on additional materials (e.g., statistical reports, policy documents) that will be uploaded on MOODLE beforehand. The complete reference list will also be uploaded on MOODLE.

Participation to joint discussions and simulation: 10%
Presentation: 30%
Final essay: 50%
Final oral discussion: 10%

Class methodology is based on: lectures and instructor’s input, individual presentations by students on a reading, a role-playing simulation game and joint class discussions. Starting from the third session of the course, each class will have an introductory input by the instructor on the key topic and concepts of the session followed by the presentation and a joint discussion of academic articles by students.

Students are encouraged to read the articles indicated as “to read all” in the reading list, the sessions’ presenters should focus on the reading they will be presenting to the class, but also encouraged to read the “to read all” article.

English

Details on assignments and final exam:

Presentation in class: All students must present (at least) one paper for a duration of 10-15 minutes. They should also be able to provide a first input to the joint discussion of the article (s). The presentation should aim to provide a thoughtful account of the chosen reading(s) and an input for discussion. A good presentation should address the following points:
a) Start with a presentation of the aim, the key research question(s), the methods/methodology used and the key empirical findings of the article.
b) Present which is/are the key argument(s) of the author(s). After presenting the argument try to assess it in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. Indicative questions that could guide the assessment are: Does the argument convince you? Is only part of it convincing? Why? Do you think it helps us understanding something fundamental about the issue at stake? Is there any particular assumption that is important for the argument that we think should be strengthened? Are the empirical facts reported by the author relevant? Are there any alternative or counter-arguments mentioned presented in the reading? Does the author use particular words or concepts that are important for his/her argument or demonstration?
c) Conclude the presentation by providing some input for discussion: you may think about a research question that you are genuinely curious about that relates to the article presented or briefly report on a case study (a policy initiative from the EU/international organizations or cities) related to the topic of the reading and that could sparkle the discussion with the rest of the class.

Simulation: Students will engage in a role-playing exercise by impersonating a panel of experts (e.g., engineers, biologists, environmental groups, social workers, youth and citizens’ groups, business groups and a panel supervisor) called to discuss and deliberate on local eco-social policies. Students will study a real problem relating to the allocation of investments for renovating degraded areas envisaged in the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience approved by the Italian Government in 2021. They will be engaged in discussing an urban regeneration project that must aim to reduce social degradation and improve environmental sustainability within a limited budget (the exact project and the assignment of roles will be decided with the students at the beginning of the course).

Final essay: The essay must be between 10 and 15 pages long, 1.5 space, 12 Times New Roman font. Details on the essay structure will be provided on MOODLE.

Students attending regularly classes can choose between two essay formats:
Format 1: The essay can be elaborated following the research question/policy initiative outlined during your presentation in class but it should include your own argument.
Format 2: The final essay can be a research paper on a case study whose topic and content must be discussed and approved by the instructor.

For those not attending class regularly (less than 75% in class and online attending), the final essay will be a research paper (Format 2).

All students will discuss the final essay and the course topics linked to it in a final oral discussion.

written and oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development