Catalogo dei Corsi di studio

The Course includes theoretical frontal lessons and exercises and laboratory lessons aimed at the in-depth study of case histories and the mapping of virtuous models and experiences in the field of social innovation.

The theoretical lessons will cover the theoretical-conceptual and operational definition of social innovation according to the basic idea of ​​combining economic balance, social impact on the community and innovation.

Specifically, the course provides for the illustration of the most consolidated models and current trends of social innovation in our country, through the analysis of the key characteristics of social innovation and the main conditions that favor its development; highlighting the areas of social importance where the phenomenon in question is more frequent; the specificities of the subjects typically involved and the (in fact, innovative) methods with which they interact in the implementation of the initiatives.

In this regard, the course will host privileged witnesses of institutions, companies and associations operating in the public, private and third sector for the purpose of critical analysis in the classroom of concrete experiences of social innovation projects that highlight engagement strategies. and the construction of networks for the production of social impact.

The illustration of the main approaches to evaluation, mixed methods and Positive thinking Evaluation will also allow us to deepen the concrete uses of the results of the evaluation of social innovation projects.

Some case studies will be illustrated as examples of strategies, criteria and tools for designing innovation projects in social enterprise and in social and territorial activation networks. In the laboratory part of the course the students will be divided into working groups for classroom exercises and for the production of a final progect work that will be evaluated with the peer evaluation methodology.

In the laboratory part of the course, students will be divided into working groups for carrying out in class exercises on the design and evaluation of projects aimed at social innovation, in order to produce a final project work that will be evaluated with the peer evaluation methodology.

The course is divided into the following thematic areas: 1) mapping and critical analysis of virtuous models and experiences in the field of social innovation; 2) illustration of main approaches to evaluation (from the experimental approach to Positive thinking evaluation), 3) deepening of the social impact assessment approaches with a focus on the EI - Evaluation of Innovation approach by Perrin (2002), particularly useful in field of the design of local development and social innovation interventions, 4) uses of evaluation and scientific dissemination of the results of social innovation projects with a focus on sustainability and gender policies, 5) design of evaluative research designs and data analysis evaluative in working groups; 6) case study on the innovative projects for local development and social impact.

For attending students, the exam includes an oral exam and the performance of a project work during the lessons, the result of group work. The laboratory provides for the drafting of a project work carried out in working groups which will be examined and assessed on the basis of the peer evaluation methodology. To facilitate the development of public speaking skills, students are invited to present a summary of the project work to their colleagues in the class.

Specifically, the oral exam which takes place at the end of the course is aimed at assessing the acquisition of the knowledge and skills provided for among the educational objectives and has the function of assessing: 1. level of knowledge and understanding of the definitions and analysis models of social innovation; 2. level of knowledge and understanding of the main approaches to evaluation in the field of social innovation; 2. ability to design evaluative research designs from conceptualization to analysis of evaluative data; 3. ability to plan and evaluate initiatives for local development and the promotion of social impact on the territories.

In the event of impossibility to attend the course for work reasons, non-attending students may take the exam by taking an oral test on a more complex text program, for the purpose of recovering the part of the exam dedicated to carrying out the project work.

For attending students:

1. Tepsie (The theoretical empirical and policy foundations for building social innovation in Europe), (2014), Social innovation theory and research. A guide for researchers, Deliverable n. 14, pp. 52. Available in open access at the following link: https: //iupe.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/tepsieresearch_report_final_web.pdf

2. M. Caroli (ed. Of), 2018, Evidence on social innovation and sustainability in Italy. Fourth Report Ceriis, Milan, FrancoAngeli (preface, chapter 2, chapter 5, 6, 8). Available in open access at the following link: http://ojs.francoangeli.it/_omp/index.php/oa/catalog/book/340.

3. N. Stame, 2016, Pluralist evaluation, Milan, FrancoAngeli (Chapters 1, 2, 4 and 11).

4. V. Lo Presti, 2020, The use of Positive Thinking in evaluative research, Milan, FrancoAngeli.

3. A. Fasanella, 2004a, Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research, Rome, Eucos (Italian translation by DT Campbell, JC Stanley, Experimentaland Quasi-Experimental Designsfor Research, Boston, HoughtonMifflinCompany, 1966) - The program excludes parts of text concerning significance tests, factorial designs, drawings

correlational and ex post facto.

The exam texts indicated above may be subject to slight changes and supplemented by materials useful for the attendance of the course and for the in-depth study of themes and research for social innovation.

For non-attending students:

 1. Tepsie (The theoretical empirical and policy foundations for building social innovation in Europe), (2014), Social innovation theory and research. A guide for researchers, Deliverable n. 14, pp. 52. Available in open access at the following link: https: //iupe.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/tepsieresearch_report_final_web.pdf

2. M. Caroli (ed. Of), 2018, Evidence on social innovation and sustainability in Italy. Fourth Report Ceriis, Milan, FrancoAngeli (preface, chapter 2, chapter 5, 6, 8). Available in open access at the following link: http://ojs.francoangeli.it/_omp/index.php/oa/catalog/book/340.

3.N. Stame, 2016, Pluralist evaluation, Milan, FrancoAngeli (full text)

4. V. Lo Presti, 2020, The use of Positive Thinking in evaluative research, Milan, FrancoAngeli.

5. A. Fasanella, 2004a, Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research, Rome, Eucos (Italian translation by DT Campbell, JC Stanley, Experimentaland Quasi-ExperimentalDesignsfor Research, Boston, HoughtonMifflinCompany, 1966) - Parts are excluded from the program of text concerning significance tests, factorial designs, drawings

correlational and ex post facto.

The aforementioned exam texts may undergo slight changes and be supplemented by materials useful for course attendance and in-depth study of themes and research for social innovation.

Il corso ha l'obiettivo principale di approfondire i principali approcci teorici alla valutazione e capacità d’inquadramento delle teorie della valutazione sotto l'aspetto della loro applicazione sul piano della ricerca empirica nel campo specifico delle politiche di cooperazione internazionale e di sviluppo locale.

Le lezioni teoriche, le esercitazioni in classe, il laboratorio finale e le testimonianze di esperti e testimoni privilegiati consentiranno di promuovere 

• capacità di progettazione, coordinamento e applicazione di disegni di ricerca valutativa, dalla definizione dell’evaluando fino all’analisi dei dati valutativi in una prospettiva pluralista;
• capacità di problem solving, di analisi critica e di valutazione delle politiche pubbliche
• •capacità critiche e progettuali attraverso la realizzazione di un project work usando la metodologia del cooperative learning;
• competenze comunicative.

Testi di riferimento per i frequentanti:

1.N. Stame, 2016, Valutazione pluralista, Milano, FrancoAngeli (Capitoli 1, 2, 4 e 11)

2. V. Lo Presti, 2020, L’uso dei Positive Thinking nella ricerca valutativa, Milano, FrancoAngeli.

3. R. Picciotto, 2010, Evaluation and the Disciplines in Development. Tensions, Dilemmas and Synergies, in Mind the Gap. Perspectives on Policy Evaluation and the Social Sciences, Edited B. Vaessen, F.L. Leeuw, New York, Routledge.

     Testi di riferimento per i non frequentanti: