Project management and evaluation of social services

Individuals from birth are immersed in a social reality capable of shaping their growth, development, identity, behavior and attitudes. As social beings it is not possible to escape the influence exerted by the relational context. Starting from these assumptions, the course will address the analysis of the dynamics that characterize the groups in terms of hierarchy of status, differentiation of roles with particular reference to the leader, construction of norms, social influence, group decision making. It will also take into consideration the relationship between the individual and the group, socialization processes, adherence to norms, the development of feelings of belonging, participation in group activities, leaving the group. Is addressed the issue of relations between groups in terms of the influence of belonging to a group and the perception of the differences of others. Competition, marginalization or social exclusion and even explicit violence can in fact be traced back to the opposition between groups and to the perception of different belonging. Finally, the course also includes a practical part concerning the focus group research method. Students are encouraged to work in small groups and to acquire the technique of the group interview through simulated in the classroom under the direct supervision of the teacher. At the end of the course students prepare a report in which the data emerged from the interview are analyzed and illustrated.

At the beginning of the teaching activities it is necessary that the student possess knowledge concerning some social phenomena concerning the dynamics inside the groups, such as social influence, persuasion, communication and some dynamics that characterize the relations between different groups. It is also appropriate to have some methodological knowledge concerning qualitative methods of investigation.

Exam books: 1) Speltini, G., Palmonari, A. (1999). I gruppi sociali. Bologna: il Mulino. 2) Frisina, A. (2010). Focus group. Una guida pratica. Bologna: il Mulino. Reference bibliography for students who wish to learn more: 3) Di Pentima, L. (2006). Culture a confronto. Relazioni, stereotipi e pregiudizi nei bambini. Milano: Unicopli

The course includes theoretical lectures about topics of group psychology and the technique of group focused interview, and group work in the classroom. The groups perform focused group interviews with the direct supervision of the teacher, analysis of the contents of the interviews and drafting of a final report.

Attending lessons is not obligatory, but recommended to the goals of learning.

For the attending students the oral exam concerns a discussion on the texts and on an elaborate writing focused on the experience in the classroom on the technique of the focus group. For non-attending students the exam is oral on all the proposed texts. The exam calendar is available on infostud.

The course includes theoretical lectures about topics of group psychology and the technique of group focused interview, and group work in the classroom. The groups perform focused group interviews with the direct supervision of the teacher, analysis of the contents of the interviews and drafting of a final report.