Ethics in the teaching profession and pedagogy of families - ETICA DELLA PROFESSIONE DOCENTE (2016/2017)

Learning outcomes

PROF.ALBERTO AGOSTI
Ethics of Teaching Profession
Teaching module Ethics of Teaching Profession and Pedagogy of Families
Prof. Alberto Agosti (4 cfu)


Presentation
Everyday action of teacher in classroom, but also the moments invested in the preparation of teaching, in dialogue and discussion with colleagues, parents and other players in the school field, is it is characterized by an expert knowledge, which deeply connoted by ethical implications. This operating ethic is functional to cope with a set of teaching issues, but also broader relational/social issues, especially in this age marked out by rapid transformations, which can often put a strain on certainties and styles in the exercise of the teaching profession.
Teacher is called to face numerous challenges, including the maintenance of an authority that once seemed indisputable. Furthermore, he/she is engaged in providing every child with equal opportunities, in a broader scheme of justice and protection of all children from all forms of ill treatment, as well as of promotion of their personal empowerment.


Teaching objectives

The teaching module aims at promoting students’ awareness in relation to the fact that none action is ethically neutral. In addition, some moments of teaching action, but also more broadly outside of the teaching practice, are particularly crucial in relation to the exercise of justice, fairness and the empowerment/protection of young learners. The lesson will consist of identifying these moments also with the cooperation of students.

Contents

The present age is characterized by a growing complexity that gradually becomes more and more problematic and demanding. During the lessons we will consider those aspects of teaching that seem to weigh more in terms of ethics, such as the choice of contents, teaching method and forms of assessment.
Moreover particular attention will be paid to the 'educational emergencies'. This expression is intended to refer to different forms of ill-treatment to which children can be object of, from the various forms of abuse, carelessness or psychological mistreatment to the potentially unfavourable conditions determined, for example, which may be the result of, for example, by separation between parents and the custody of children by legal guardians.
One particular topic will be the set of mistreatment and violence that sometime children can perform among themselves, fox example bullying, cyberbullying and other inappropriate use of digital technologies.
Some criteria that can be followed in the cases mentioned above in order to take responsible actions to contrast and deal with negative phenomena will be presented but also identified along with the students.


Methodology
The teaching methodology foresees some lectures, but also the use of audio-visual materials (clips of movies or full movies), meetings with privileged witnesses and online interaction with students through a dedicated e-learning platform.

Evaluation
Each student will be required to write a targeted review of a film chosen from those indicated in the online platform and those mentioned in one paper included in the bibliography (Images of abuse on young people in the cinema) and a review of a book, always of student choice, among those listed in the platform. The reviews of two pages lengths each at least, must be delivered before the exam sessions. The examination will consist of an oral examination or a written test with open questions about the references listed in the bibliography.

Bibliography:
Jacqueline Russ, L’etica contemporanea, Il Mulino, Bologna 1997; studio del testo e approfondimento di un tema o di un Autore (questo volumetto è disponibile presso la Biblioteca del Dipartimento di Scienze umane – Lungadige Porta Vittoria 17 – I piano).

Damiano Elio, L’insegnante etico. Saggio sull’insegnamento come professione morale, Cittadella, Assisi 2007.

Farné Roberto, Alberto Manzi. L’avventura di un maestro, Bononia University Press, Bologna 2011.

Foti Michela, Targher Camilla, Comunicare la separazione ai figli. Dall'affidamento condiviso alla bigenitorialità passando per la mediazione familiare, Giraldi, San Lazzaro di Savena (BO), 2014.

STUDENT MODULE EVALUATION - 2016/2017