INTERSECTIONALITY IN POLICY, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

The course is offered in both curricula, "Welfare Policies and Social Research" and "Social Work," of the Master's Degree in "Welfare, Society and Social Work" starting from the academic year 2025/26.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Develop in-depth knowledge of feminist intersectional approaches.
• Gain an overview of their applications in research, policy-making, and social practices.
• Engage with recent publications that highlight emerging trends.
• Articulate key concepts related to intersectional approaches.
• Apply these tools in research, policy-making, and everyday professional encounters.

Spoken knowledge of the English language.

This course explores the meanings, limitations, and potentials of intersectional approaches developed within queer and feminist thought since the 1970s. We will examine how these perspectives have been applied in academic research, policymaking, social interventions, and grassroots activism.

Throughout the semester, lectures and discussions will focus on how European legal structures, work cultures, and moralities intersect with ideas of authenticity, civil rights, and the emotional labour of people living at the crossroads of multiple marginalizations.

Case studies will include: how SOGIESC refugees negotiate and perform available queer identities; how regularized and irregular migrants engage in intimate work and sex work; how the social model of disability offers new perspectives on (dis)ability and affective shame; how housing projects and mobile aspirations interact; how ethnic/racial discrimination is resisted yet internalized; and how moral surveillance operates in digital spaces intersecting with migrant stratifications.

The required readings will be made available via Moodle before the start of the course.

Final Exam (100%):
The oral exam will assess students’ understanding of the main concepts from the compulsory readings, as well as their ability to connect these to the examples and dilemmas discussed in class.

Participation in Discussions
Students are expected to complete weekly readings and actively contribute to discussions. Special care will be taken to create a safe and interactive environment that acknowledges students’ own intersectional positions. Students are encouraged to raise questions and reflections based on the readings and presentations.

Student Presentations
Each student will select one empirical study from the readings to present during the Friday discussion class. A selection sheet, starting from week 2, will be made available on Moodle at the start of the course, but beforehand students are encouraged to read well the syllabus. Presentations should last about 15 minutes and include PowerPoint slides or another visual method. Each will be followed by a brief discussion aimed at sharing critical insights and engaging with practical dilemmas.


Guidelines for constructive discussion:
• Approach all contributions with fairness and respect.
• Provide balanced feedback — neither overly lenient nor unnecessarily severe.
• Avoid responding to critique with personal retaliation.
• Treat critique as an opportunity for reflection and learning.

written and oral

Grading will follow the department’s official guidelines.

Each week will be dedicated to a specific topic.
In the Thursdays’ class, the professor will present key insights into intersectionality as they relate to the topic of the week. Slides will be uploaded before class.

In the Fridays’ class, students will present an empirical study from the readings, followed by a film screening, guest lecture, or group discussion. Each student is expected to present one article from the readings, and each presentation can include 1-2 students. To provide students time to choose an article, the professor will present the empirical cases in the first week of the course.

The aim is to critically examine how to act in complex situations as a researcher, social worker, teacher, or activist. During group discussions, the professor will introduce a real-world dilemma arising in research, policymaking, teaching, or activism. Students will then critically consider possible responses and their implications.

Course layout:

Classes based on teacher’s lectures will take place on Thursdays in Aula San Trovaso, between 15.45-17.15.

Classes based on student’s presentations and group discussions will take place on Fridays in Aula G1 (Polo didattico San Basilio) between 14:00-17.15, divided into three sections (see below).


Instructors:
Árdís Kristín Ingvars (ÁKI)
Office hours, Fridays between 12.00-14.00, in the room of Prof. Della Puppa, 4th floor of the Malcanton Marcorà Building, Department of Philodophy and Cultural Heritage.
Email: ardis.ingvars@unive.it; akingvars@hi.is