Sociology and social work I - SOCIOLOGIA DEL TERZO SETTORE (2014/2015)

Learning outcomes

The course aims, first, to provide students with the conceptual elements necessary to develop an appropriate sociological interpretation of the phenomenon of the third sector, so as to enable them in the exercise of their professional activity to "interface" themselves with the organizations of this sector of society.
Secondly, the course aims to show the role that the third sector can play in the context of the contemporary crisis of the western welfare states.

The course covers the following topics:
• Review of the major theories of the third sector
• Identification of the relational specificity of the third sector
• The third sector in Italy: legislation, size, culture and practices
• Third sector and social policies

The evaluation of the student's knowledges will be done through an interview on the following books/papers:

1. Stanzani S., (1998), La specificità relazionale del terzo settore, Milano, Angeli.
2. M. Anspach, (2007), A buon rendere. La reciprocità nella vendetta, nel dono e nel mercato, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri.
3. Prandini R., (2013), La persona come medium e come forma di politica sociale. Un cambiamento di paradigma per i servizi di welfare?, in "Sociologia e politica sociale", vol 16, n. 3, pp. 43-78.
Orlandini M., (2013), Coprodurre servizi di welfare. Semantiche ed esempi per il contesto italiano, in "Sociologia e politica sociale", vol 16, n. 3, pp. 111-134.

Slides of the lessons are available to students on the e-learning platform. These materials play a role of synthesis of the texts' contents.