WORKSHOP: GOVERNANCE OF SOCIAL COHESION

This course is included in the "attività caratterizzanti" (characterizing activites) of the master course in Lavoro, Cittadinanza Sociale, Interculturalità (Labour, Social Citizenship and Interculture) and it is related to the following objectives of the master course:
- reaching ad advanced knowledge of features and dynamics of contemporary societies with particular reference to contemporary welfare states
- an advanced knowledge, understanding and analysis of the concept of social cohesion and of governance dynamics, co-production and Social Innovation related to it.

Knowledge and understanding
The course aims to provide advanced knowledge on the concept of social cohesion starting from its emergence in the public debate in particular within the EU. Social cohesion is a broader concept than social policies and cannot be reduced only to the fight against social exclusion and poverty: it also consists in the creation of solidarity networks, within society, which support Interventions to combat marginalization and increase the resilience of communities themselves. At the end of the course, students will also have an articulated knowledge of how various local authorities in Italy have interpreted social cohesion, with particular reference to the scope of action of the Social Services.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
After attending the course the student will know:
- define, measure and evaluate social cohesion;
- co-design, together with other students, a practice of social cohesion that takes into account the various public and private actors and their specific roles, skills and interests.

To achieve these objectives, the course includes several moments of discussion between students on the materials assigned, which must have been previously read. Students will also be asked to present some readings in class in order to stimulate a debate.

Autonomy of judgment:
During the course, students are invited to compare the various approaches and methodologies presented, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.


Learning ability:
Knowing how to critically consult the reference texts (and related bibliographies) and the teaching materials present on Moodle platform to make connections between different approaches and contexts.

Students should have a basic knowledge of the functioning of the welfare state and of the main social policies. Professor will provide some readings (not compulsory) for students who did not have any background on welfare state and social policies.

The course is thought as a laboratory in which students are invited to a regular attendance of lessons and a commitment to work at home to prepare readings and exercises. The main theoretical contents of the course concern multi level governance and social cohesion. Theoretical framework will subsequently be largely explored in its application to concrete practices and policies in different levels of government. During the course, experts and social workers will be invited to present actual practices of social cohesion by focusing on the ways in which co-planning between public and private is developed.
Students are asked to design a practice of social cohesion in small groups, choosing a specific theme and territory, identifying a target group, the interlocutors and the methods of dialogue, the economic and human resources that can be activated, the possible obstacles that the practice could meet at the political level and in some sectors of society.

Some texts may vary (the definitive list will be uploaded in January 2025):

- Riniolo V. 2013 Sul concetto di coesione sociale oggi, in Vita e Pensiero [uploaded on Moodle]
- Jenson J. 2010 Defining and measuring social cohesion, Commonwealth Secretariat, eBook [uploaded on Moodle]
- Chan J., To H., Chan E. 2006 Reconsidering social cohesion: developing a definition and analytical framework for empirical research, “Social Indicator Research”, 75, pp. 273-302. [uploaded on Moodle]
- Venturini G.e Graziano P., 2022,, Terzo Rapporto su “Misurare la coesione sociale in Italia” [uploaded on Moodle]
- Ripamonti E. e Vitale T. 2009, Progettare coesione. Un documento base per la definizione delle linee di indirizzo [uploaded on Moodle]
-Evers A. e Ewert B. 2015 Social Innovation for Social Cohesion (progetto Wilco) [uploaded on Moodle]
- Evers A. e Ewert B. Social 2014 Innovation for Social Cohesion (progetto Wilco) [Ebook uploaded on Moodle, choose 4 practices: they will be presented in class ]
- Murray, Grice, Mulgan 2010, Il Libro bianco sull’innovazione sociale [uploaded on Moodle. To be studied: Section 1. Section 1 and 3 are useful for drafting the project]
-Saruis T., Colombo F., Barberis E., Kazepov Y. 2019 Istituzioni del welfare e innovazione sociale: un rapporto conflittuale? In La Rivista delle Politiche Sociali, pp.23-38 [uploaded on Moodle]
-Saruis T., Kazepov Y., Boczy T. 2021 Consolidare l’innovazione sociale in contesti diversi di welfare: tra dinamiche trasformative e adattamento, in Autonomie Locali e Servizio Sociale, pp. 579-592 [uploaded on Moodle]
- [not mandatory] Oosterlynck S., Novy A. Kazepov Y. 2020 Local Social Innovation to Combat Poverty and Exclusion. A Critical Appraisal, Bristol, Policy Press [useful for drafting the project]

The exam is written and oral. The written part is worth 80% of the grade and consists of the development of a social cohesion project to be carried out in a group of 2 or 3 people (no more than 3) and to be presented during the oral exam. The precise instructions on setting up the project will be indicated in class and uploaded to Moodle during the first week of the course. The oral exam is valid for 10% of the vote, takes place in groups of 3 and focuses on the reference texts. Another 10% of the overall evaluation comes from participation in class and the preparation for the assigned reading.
This modality is valid in any session of the exam.

Concerning grading (how the marks will be awarded):
Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and ability to apply understanding concerning the examination materials;
- sufficient originality and accuracy of the project;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of language specific social policies.

Scores in band 23-26 will be awarded in the presence of:
- fair knowledge and ability to apply understanding concerning the examination materials;
- discrete originality and accuracy of the project;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of language specific to social policies.

Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or excellent knowledge and ability to apply understanding concerning examination materials
- good or excellent originality and accuracy of the project
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially concerning the use of language specific to social policy.
Honours will be awarded for knowledge and ability to apply understanding concerning the syllabus, judgement and communication skills programme, judgement and communication skills, excellent.

The course includes some frontal lessons and other moments during which students are invited to discuss previously assigned readings and work in small groups on proposed exercises.
Study materials, proposed exercises and communications relating to the course will be uploaded to the University Moodle platform. Timely enrollment in the course on the Moodle platform is therefore recommended.

Italian

Ca' Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities. If you have a motor, visual, hearing or other disability (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and request support (assistance in the classroom, technological aids for carrying out exams or exams individualized, accessible format material, notes retrieval, specialized tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other) contact the Disability and DSA office disabilita@unive.it.

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