The educational objectives are aimed at ensuring that students learn both the main characteristics and psychological dynamics of the various types of groups, with a focus on those that are structured in the care field, and the fundamentals of community psychology and how this discipline is complementary to the activity of the social worker and the sociologist.

The course is divided into three parts:

1. the characteristics and dynamics within groups will be explored, with particular attention to work groups, specifically the main theories on the dynamics that occur both within groups (intra-group) and between groups (inter-group) will be illustrated, taking into account the types of leadership, identification, socialization, roles, tendencies both towards cohesion and conformity, and towards deviance, conflict and schism. Moreover, in some lessons a focus will be made on Gestalt Counseling.

2. the operational methods of professionals working in the field of social services, with a focus on the difficulties of social workers and educators working in the youth policy sector

3. community psychology, with a focus on the theoretical bases of the discipline and its practical implications.

During the lessons, simulations will be carried out that will focus on the discussion group and the methods of working in a group in the management of social fragilities: minors in problematic families, mental health, pathological addictions. Furthermore, in the last three lessons, Dr. Vito Minoia will manage, with the support of the teacher, the integrative didactic laboratory "Social and Diversity Theatre", in which all the students attending will be involved.

Knowledge and understanding: possessing the basic knowledge relating to the paradigms of group psychology, community psychology and Gestalt Counseling

Applied knowledge and understanding: possessing basic knowledge and skills both for the management of groups with people in a state of mental and social fragility, and for the management in teams of cases characterized by family and social problems

Autonomy of judgment: ability to evaluate the most appropriate interventions both in team and individually in cases of psychological and social distress

Communication skills: ability to communicate interventions and solutions of cases of psychological and social distress to specialist and non-specialist interlocutors.

Ability to learn: starting from the basics provided in the course, ability to deepen the functioning of groups

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

The teaching material prepared by the teacher (slides and booklet) and the teacher's specific communications can be found within the Moodle platform ›blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Bibliographic indications, films concerning group dynamics, simulated activities and theatre workshop will be added to the frontal teaching.

Attendance

Participation in at least three quarters of the lesson hours. Study of the texts in the program and of the material indicated by the teacher during the lessons.

Course books

Speltini G., Palmonari A., I gruppi sociali, il Mulino, Bologna, 2007.

Persi R., Lannutti V., L'intercultura tra politiche giovanili e reti territoriali, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2023, Capp. Introduction, 1, 2, 3, Conclusive remarks

Santinello S., Vieno A., Lenzi M., Fondamenti di psicologia di comunità, il Mulino, Bologna, 2018

Teacher’s booklet

Slides

Assessment

Oral exam, based on at least four questions to ascertain the knowledge and skills of group characteristics and dynamics and on Gestalt Counseling, of community psychology with request for simulations and analysis of cases / examples: team work, group management with drug addicts and with people with mental illness, the group with prisoners, etc.

The evaluation criteria are: the level of mastery of basic knowledge, mastery of the specialized language of the discipline, knowledge and application of the various research methods and tools.

Each of the criteria, of equal weight, is assessed on the basis of a four-level scale (approximate mastery; limited mastery but sufficient for application; adequate mastery; excellent mastery with the ability to autonomously use methods and tools). The ability to autonomously elaborate and construct arguments by linking the different study texts is a further appreciable requirement.

The vote is expressed out of thirty.

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

Study of the indicated texts

Attendance

Individual study of the texts in the program

Course books

Speltini G., Palmonari A., I gruppi sociali, il Mulino, Bologna, 2007, capp. I, II, III, IV, V

Persi R., Lannutti V., L'intercultura tra politiche giovanili e reti territoriali, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2023, Capp. Introduction, 1, 2, 3, Conclusive remarks

Santinello S., Vieno A., Lenzi M., Fondamenti di psicologia di comunità, il Mulino, Bologna, 2018.

Teacher’s booklet

Slides

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate for what they have done during the lessons with independent study, the following materials are indicated, referring to the same contents of the program, in order to promote their full understanding.

Lannutti V. (2020), BeFriend: un’occasione per scoprire il valore della relazione e del contatto con l’altro, in Welfare & Ergonomia, 1, pp. 91 – 100.

Assessment

Oral exam, based on at least four questions to ascertain the knowledge and skills of group characteristics and dynamics and on Gestalt Counseling, of community psychology with request for simulations and analysis of cases / examples: team work, group management with drug addicts and with people with mental illness, the group with prisoners, etc.

The evaluation criteria are: the level of mastery of basic knowledge, mastery of the specialized language of the discipline, knowledge and application of the various research methods and tools.

Each of the criteria, of equal weight, is assessed on the basis of a four-level scale (approximate mastery; limited mastery but sufficient for application; adequate mastery; excellent mastery with the ability to autonomously use methods and tools). The ability to autonomously elaborate and construct arguments by linking the different study texts is a further appreciable requirement.

The vote is expressed out of thirty.

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.