IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS

This is an optional course of the second year of the Master's Degree Programme in Welfare, Society and Social Work. The course provides fundamental concepts for understanding and analysing the causes, forms, and effects of contemporary international migration. The course adopts a socio-legal approach to the analysis of policies and practices in the area of migration and asylum, with specific attention to the European and Italian contexts. The course encourages students to develop analytical tools for critically engaging with migration-related issues, particularly in fields of research, monitoring, and social work.

At the end of the course, students will:
1. possess the theoretical and conceptual tools for the analysis of contemporary migration and command the core analytical vocabulary of the field, useful for professional roles in social services, policy analysis, and research;
2. be able to critically analyse current academic and policy debates on migration; identify and select academic sources and empirical data to construct a well-grounded argument on the topic;
3. have an in-depth understanding of the structural conditions shaping migrants' experiences;
4. develop the ability to analyse and communicate research findings effectively;
5. be able to apply concepts from migration studies to the design, coordination, or evaluation of social interventions.

Language skills (proficiency in English).

The course explores the main dynamics of contemporary migration and their interconnection with social transformations in Europe and Italy, providing theoretical and conceptual tools for a socio-legal analysis centred on migrants' conditions of access to socio-economic rights. Issues such as labour exploitation, housing precarity, health inequities, and administrative detention are examined as key dimensions of structural vulnerability. Specific attention is given to contemporary forced displacement, including the case of Ukraine, and to the characteristics and functioning of the Italian reception system (SAI, CAS). Guest lectures with experts in the field are planned.

The materials will be uploaded to the course's Moodle space.

The assessment will consist of both a written and an oral examination. The written examination will assess the student's ability to understand and critically discuss the main topics covered in the course, with particular attention to the appropriate use of concepts, clarity of argument, and the ability to apply analytical tools to issues related to migration, welfare, and social transformations. The oral examination will further explore the contents of the written test and will evaluate the overall command of the subject, the ability to connect different course themes, and independent critical judgment. The instructor is responsible for ensuring that the rules of authenticity and originality of the examination work are respected. Therefore, in cases where there is suspicion of irregularity, the exam may include further in-depth assessment conducted during the examination and, if necessary, in forms other than those described above.

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The grading system is as follows:

Scores in the 18–22 range will be awarded for:
• sufficient knowledge and understanding of the course content;
• adequate ability to apply a socio-legal analytical perspective;
• adequate communication skills and use of the field's specific terminology.

Scores in the 23–26 range will be awarded for:
• fair knowledge and understanding of the course content;
• fair ability to connect theoretical frameworks to professional practice;
• clear communication skills and appropriate use of academic language.

Scores in the 27–30 range will be awarded for:
• good or excellent knowledge and critical understanding of the course content;
• strong ability to apply socio-legal frameworks to complex cases and professional contexts;
• fully adequate communication skills and precise use of academic language.

Honours will be awarded for excellent and original command of the course content, autonomous critical judgement, and exemplary communication skills.

The course is delivered through lectures and seminars, combining conceptual introduction with application to concrete case studies. Course materials are available on the Moodle page. The course may also include contributions from guest lecturers. Students are encouraged to get acquainted with the proposed literature before the class, and are expected to engage actively in discussion and bring critical reflections.

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