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Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: MARIA PIA CASTRO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge needed to understand, analyze, and evaluate social policies and their evolution in Italy, as well as the related social services and benefits, in various fields of application. In particular, attention will be paid to the analysis of social rights and the progressive differentiation of welfare organizations through the study of the regulations governing their functions, up to the current definition of the Essential Levels of Social Services and the multilevel governance.

Course Structure

Lessons and exercises

Required Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is recommended

Textbook Information

Mod. 1: Il welfare state: definizione, concetti ed evoluzione 

Ferrera M., Jessoula M. (a cura di), Le Politiche sociali, Il Mulino, 2025, pp. 15-4; 137-145 

Mod. 2: Costituzione, diritti sociali e istituzioni del welfare 

Codini E., Fossati A., Frego Luppi A. (a cura di), Manuale di diritto dei servizi sociali, Giappichelli 2025, pp. 19-44  

Mod. 3: L’integrazione socio-sanitaria 

Codini E., Fossati A., Frego Luppi A. (a cura di), Manuale di diritto dei servizi sociali, Giappichelli 2025, pp. 45-58 

Mod. 4: Le politiche e i servizi di contrasto alla povertà 

Ferrera M., Jessoula M. (a cura di), Le Politiche sociali, Il Mulino, 2025, pp. 219-276 

Mod. 5: Fonti normative, strumenti della programmazione e fondi di finanziamento dei servizi di welfare 

Codini E., Fossati A., Frego Luppi A. (a cura di), Manuale di diritto dei servizi sociali, Giappichelli 2025, pp. 59-75; pp. 329-341 

Castro M.P., Pennisi C. (2021). Il contributo delle misure di contrasto alla povertà al consolidamento della governance multilivello nel nuovo welfare. Il caso della Sicilia. In Sociologia Italiana, vol. 18, p. 163-183 

Di Costanzo C., I servizi sociali fra esigenze di uniformità, sperimentazioni regionali e libera circolazione delle prestazioni 

Mod. 6: I Livelli Essenziali delle Prestazioni Sociali 

Caiolfa M., LEPS: geografia, origine, tipologie ed articolazioni – Parte I (2023), in https://www.welforum.it/la-geografia-dei-livelli-essenziali-delle-prestazioni-sociali-parte-i/ 

Motta M., I LEP sono diritti esigibili dai cittadini, e doveri per i servizi? (2023), in https://www.welforum.it/i-lep-sono-diritti-esigibili-dai-cittadini-e-doveri-per-i-servizi/ 

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The exam will consist of a written test with at least three questions. With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, preparation will be assessed as follows:

Knowledge and understanding: the ability to report on the various topics, arguing them and identifying their interconnections will be assessed;

Applied knowledge and understanding: the ability to place the various issues and logics that guided the definition of services within their underlying rationale, historical period, and specific context will be assessed.

Making independent judgments: the ability to formulate hypotheses and independent assessments regarding the measures investigated and their outcomes will be assessed.

The ability to formulate independent judgments, interpreting data and reflecting on social, scientific, or ethical issues related to one's field of study.

Communication skills: Students will be assessed on their ability to present the issues raised and the clarity of their arguments.

Learning skills: Students' logical, analytical, and critical thinking skills in connecting the various issues presented will be assessed, as will their mastery of the analytical tools learned in understanding social policies.