BERGAMO
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
This course provides an in-depth understanding of social pedagogy as a theoretical and practical field of education that promotes social justice, inclusion, personal growth, and community development. Specifically, it aims to give students a solid grasp of the discipline's historical and theoretical foundations, paying close attention to its reference pedagogical paradigms and how these have evolved in relation to the social and political changes that characterize the contemporary world.
Particular attention will be paid to analyzing territorial networks as complex, interdependent educational systems involving a variety of institutional, associative, formal and informal actors, which develop through cooperation, exchange, listening and negotiation dynamics.
Finally, the course intends to encourage critical and forward-looking reflection on the role of the social-pedagogical educator in different contexts.
Course Prerequisites
Nothing
Teaching Methods
The course’s teaching activities will be inspired by a dialogic and reflective approach, with the aim of enhancing discussion between faculty and students, the personal processing of content, and experiential learning.
Frontal lectures will be complemented by seminars, guided discussions and teaching workshops, in which students will be able to apply the analytical and design tools presented in the course.
Particular focus will be given to developing transversal skills, such as critical analysis, independent judgement, communication and cooperation. A variety of exercises, case analyses, simulations and reflective activities will be offered, both individually and in groups.
Students will also have the opportunity to propose in-depth studies on topical issues related to the themes of the course.
Finally, where possible, there will also be opportunities to interact with experts, professionals, and local communities to connect theoretical reflection with the world of practical educational intervention.
Assessment Methods
Thoughtful feedback during and at the end of every lecture and workshop would use for a fixed monitoring of the students’ teaching/learning process. Students’ knowledge and skills would be checked through an oral test. The evaluation will be expressed in thirtieths on the basis of the following evaluation criteria: knowledge of the contents of the reference texts; ability and correctness in exposition and articulation of discourse; ability to develop and discuss personally and critically the issues addressed.
Only for attending students it will be possible, in the last part of the course, also to take an intermediate written exam consisting in a written paper with three open-ended questions. The outcome of this test will be considered for the purpose of assigning the final mark.
Contents
The course comprises two interconnected modules that combine to provide a comprehensive and reflective perspective on educational practice within various socio-territorial contexts.
The first module focuses on the fundamental themes and paradigms of social pedagogy, such as the educational relationship, care, the individual, the community, and socio-educational policies. These themes are also explored through significant historical figures who have reflected on issues such as social justice, education, poverty, peace and work.
The figure of the socio-pedagogical professional educator is at the centre of this first section, analyzed in terms of their identity, relational skills, and planning abilities.
The second module includes a monographic study of the links between education, experience, society, and democracy, beginning with reflection on and discussion of some of John Dewey's texts.
Through guided reading of some of his key writings, students will have the opportunity to reflect on the epistemological, educational, ethical, and political implications of his pedagogical approach.
Both modules include the analysis of experiences, case studies, and good practices drawn from Italian and European contexts.
Online Resources
More information
Additional bibliographical guidance will be provided throughout the course and made available on the Moodle platform. The exam bibliography will be posted on Leganto and divided into compulsory and optional texts.
For Erasmus students it is possible to take the exam through an interview in English on a bibliography agreed with the professor in advance.