INNOVATIVE THEORIES, FOR SOCIAL WORK

The course aims to critically examine the ongoing transformations within contemporary social contexts by exploring innovative methodologies in social work practice. Particular attention will be given to approaches that are responsive to complexity and capable of promoting citizen engagement and participatory processes.

Recent theoretical models developed at both national and international levels will be presented and discussed, with the goal of providing conceptual tools for interpreting and rethinking professional practices. The course structure combines theoretical analysis with practical application, fostering an integrated reflection on emerging trends in social work.

An interactive teaching approach will actively involve students in laboratory activities and experiential learning – including simulations, role plays, and case studies – designed to establish meaningful connections between theoretical frameworks and concrete intervention strategies. The overall perspective encourages the development of critical and reflective capacities, which are essential for a socially responsive and innovative practice in the face of contemporary challenges.

Knowledge and Understanding.
By the end of the course, the student will have acquired a solid mastery of the most up-to-date theoretical paradigms in the field of social work, with particular attention to innovative approaches and models that promote the development of skills and resources within families, groups, and communities. The student will be able to deeply understand the phases of the methodological intervention process, exploring the role of social work within the context of co-design and shared social policies.

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding.
The student will have acquired the necessary skills to apply advanced intervention methodologies in professional helping relationships. The student will be able to critically recognize and observe the development of the helping process in its various phases, selecting and applying the most appropriate theoretical and methodological tools, with a focus on social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Judgment Skills.
The course will encourage a reflective approach to social work practice, promoting technical skills integrated with the human dimension of the helping process. The student will be able to distinguish between personalized intervention design and a merely performance-oriented approach, adopting a critical perspective on the role of social work in co-design processes and in the development of shared policies and interventions.

Communication Skills.
The student will have acquired advanced professional language, enabling them to precisely present the content covered in the course and to argue the main themes discussed in a structured way, such as the use of narratives in social work and social design from a postmodern perspective. Through group work, the student will also refine their public speaking skills and actively participate in the discussion of cases and projects proposed by their peers.

Learning Skills.
The student will be able to critically consult the proposed bibliography, using the theoretical knowledge acquired to independently address the challenges related to social intervention. The student will be able to critically apply theoretical models of social work to develop practical solutions and reflect on emerging innovations in the field.

No specific prerequisites are required.

- Conceptualization and key features of innovation in social work
- Analysis of the most advanced theoretical approaches in contemporary social work
- The role of critical thinking in the development and evolution of social sciences
- Acting locally with a global perspective: policies and practices for promoting active citizenship through community work
- Exploration of real-world experiences: case studies and initiatives in immediate social intervention
- Empowerment techniques applied to work with families and youth
- Social work, eco-social perspectives, and sustainability challenges
- Co-design as a collaborative tool between public entities and private social organizations
- The use of narratives as a method of understanding and intervention in social work

W. Lorenz, Globalization and Social Work in Europe, Carocci Faber, 2010. Study chapters 1, 2, 6, 8, 9. Read chapters 3, 4, 5, 7.
E. Matutini, Eco-social Work: Politics and Social Work in the Ecological Crisis, PM, Varazze, 2023.
Slides and materials used during the lectures and made available in the Moodle platform dedicated to the course.

The written exam consists of three open-ended questions related to the topics covered in the course and addressed in the reference readings: two of a theoretical nature and one more focused on aspects related to professional practice. The questions will be designed to assess the candidate's ability to synthesize and make connections between the various topics discussed. The exam has a maximum duration of two hours.

written

Regarding the grading scale (the method by which grades will be assigned), regardless of whether the student is attending or non-attending:

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
Sufficient knowledge and applied understanding of the course content;
Limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgments;
Adequate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific social work terminology and, more generally, social sciences language;

B. Scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
Fair knowledge and applied understanding of the course content;
Fair ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgments;
Fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific social work terminology and, more generally, social sciences language;

C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
Good or excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the course content;
Good or excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgments;
Fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific social work terminology and, more generally, social sciences language;

D. Honors (Cum Laude) will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the course content, judgment skills, and communication abilities.

The course adopts an integrated teaching methodology, combining lectures with practical application sessions. The lectures provide the theoretical foundations necessary to address the topics covered, while simulations allow students to experience the use of innovative teaching tools, promoting active and interactive learning. Special focus will be given to practical exercises on complex cases, through which students will develop skills in managing real-life situations and designing interventions for the promotion of active citizenship. Additionally, there will be in-depth seminars with the participation of experts and professionals from the field, who will contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific topics addressed in the course.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development