LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objectives of the course are: to introduce students to the concept of need; in its various dimensions and theoretical perspectives and to make students acquire the methodological tools for the analysis of needs and changes in relation to the evolution of governance systems related to demographic, social, cultural, economic changes.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purposes of the course are:

1. To analyze the concept of ‘need’ in its various dimensions;
2. To analyze the main theoretical approaches to the concept of ‘need’;
3. To acquire the methodological tools for the analysis of needs and the changes related to the systems of governance due to demographic, social, cultural and economic changes;

At the end of the course our students will be able to:

1. Constructing the tools for the needs analysis, or adapting the tools already existing;
2. Identify the types of users of the policy area;
3. Recollect information, opinions and evaluations of the stakeholders;
4. Recognize different types of cultural, educational and – broadly – social needs;
5. Knowing the different types of individual interview (from questionnaire to not directive interview), group interviews (focus groups, Delphi), participant observation and secondary sources (not only official statistics);
6. Critically evaluate the strengths and weakness of the different techniques for the recollection of information, knowing the conditions of reliability and validity related to specific problems as labour market, the processes of social and normative institutionalisation , territorial assets, mobility policy;
7. Write a well-founded report in order of its methodological premises, but with the ability to speak to a wide range of people (decision makers, ordinary citizens, etc.)
8. Develop an awareness of political and ethical issues involved in the social research process.

PREREQUISITES

We suggest a prior basic knowledge of social research methodology.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal classes, exercises.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The bibliography and recommended reading will be announced in September  by Aulaweb.