The goal of the course is to give the essentials of the Italian welfare system in a comparative approach with other European countries and, in some respects, with that of some important non-European countries.  In the second part, however, although the work policies and health policies in particular are discussed, the attending students will be asked to undertake a discussion on a topic agreed upon with docents on specific aspects of Italian welfare. Students must demonstrate that they are able to search the chosen topic and produce a textbook that will be delivered to the exam after their research work has been discussed in the classroom with the other students present. The teacher will assist students in the search for the material to be used as a source and in writing the essay.

- How does the welfare state come about? - The different development trajectories - The different approaches to welfare - The evolutions of welfare systems - The best social welfare achievements in the postwar period - Crisis and transformation of European welfare systems - the policies against poverty - Housing policies - Labour policies - Education and training policies from school to work - health and long-term care policies

Students will first have to demonstrate knowledge of the core concepts of the course, of the historical transformation processes that have affected the constitutive elements of welfare, of the different configuration of these elements in some countries that will be chosen for their exemplary strength. They will also have to use this knowledge to analyze some cases and to read the interconnections between the different cases or the different elements of the same case, in order to foresee possible scenarios of intervention or transformation of the welfare system. In this way, they will develop autonomy both in analytical and critical terms that will allow them to have an autonomous judgment on this area of social institutions. The research work required to write the written presentation will enable them to select and choose relevant and pertinent information in the large amount of material available on the net or in the catalog of library products. In the writing of the thesis they will have to prove that they know how to organize this knowledge, circumscribe them to the chosen topic, finalize them to the cognitive goals agreed with the teacher. Finally, they will have to be able to support their analysis and arguments with their colleagues and the teacher, in an exchange and deepening report, by acknowledging and correcting any mistakes.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Slides and support materials will be used during lessons to clarify the concepts, highlight the examples, raise debate and clarify with attending students. Presentations of written works by students will be an integral part of the educational program

Teaching

Frontal lessons, discussion on topics, writing of lectures and presentations of written works

Course books

Bonoli G and Natali D. The Politics of the new Welfare State.Oxford University Press 2012, or other text that must be greed with the teacher

Assessment

Discussios and paper presentations during lessons and final oral examination

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Assistance during reading and paper writing when it is agreed

Attendance

Final Oral examination with paper presentation if that is agree in advance

Course books

Palier B. A long Goodbye to Bismark. The poltics of Welfare reform in Continental Europe. Amsterdam University Press 2010 or other texts that must be agreed with teacher. Part of the work can be done with a reaserch and the wrinting of a paper that have to be sent to the teacher at least one week before the final examination.

Assessment

Oral examination and eventual paper presentation

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.