99673 - Activation and Reskilling Policies

Learning outcomes

The course aims to address the issue of activation with particular reference to the arena of labor policies and work-life balance. The first part of the course will focus on the concept of activation, its historical changes and the identification of the links with education and family policies. Subsequently, the different activation models, their aims and the variety of interventions will be examined. The analysis will be carried out by comparing national cases, also considering the impact of the interventions provided at the local level. At the end of the course, students will be able to: a) recognize the diversity of activation patterns; b) develop intervention plans at national and local level.

Course contents

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical foundations necessary to understand and evaluate various contemporary phenomena in societies and labour markets. Specifically, the course focuses on:

• The transformation of labour demand and supply, with particular attention to how the characteristics of different occupations are evolving and how the content of work is changing.
• Active labour market policies as a means of removing barriers to employment and reducing inequalities in the labour market.
• The need for retraining and lifelong learning of workers, especially in response to the technologisation and digitalisation of work processes and the risk of technological unemployment.

The course uses an iterative approach, combining literature review with the analysis of empirical case studies to highlight the links between theory and practice, and to stimulate the practical application of concepts learned in lectures. In addition, it emphasises an intersectional view of the phenomena studied in order to understand how different dimensions of inequality interact and affect the issues under study.

By the end of the course, students will:

• Possess the knowledge necessary to evaluate the dynamics of occupational change in advanced capitalist societies, identifying dominant trends and key critical issues.
• Have the tools to analyse and understand the processes required for workers to cope with ongoing changes in the world of work, with the aim of avoiding skills obsolescence and improving employment outcomes

The course comprises a total of 40 teaching hours. The detailed timetable and content will be presented during the first class.

Indicatively, the topics covered in the course will be:

• The changing labour market in Europe: from the 1970s to today.
• Contemporary labour market challenges.
• Active labour market policies and employment services.
• The Italian context and comparative regional models.
• Age management: theory and practice.
• Digitalisation in labour policies.
• Robotisation: effects on unemployment and work experience.

Readings/Bibliography

Semenza R. (a cura di) (2022), Manuale di Sociologia del Lavoro (Terza edizione), UTET. (Capitoli 2; 4, 5, 6 e 8)

Reyneri E. (2017), Introduzione alla sociologia del mercato del lavoro, Il Mulino (Capitoli 1, 6, 7)

Scarano, G. (2022). Politiche attive del lavoro e servizi per l'impiego: tra miti e riforme. EGEA spa.

Rizza, R. e Scarano G. (2019) Nuovi modelli di Politica del lavoro. EGEA spa.

Teaching methods

The course content is presented and discussed through both lectures and seminar-style sessions. Short moments of lecture-based explanation using slides will alternate with discussions and/or group activities. The teaching method is therefore interactive, focusing on collective discussion of questions, texts and concepts, as well as group activities in the classroom. Students are asked to always refer to the course guide, which will be shared on the Virtuale platform, for the schedule of topics covered in each lesson. It is important for the successful progress of the course that students complete the assigned readings for each lesson.

Assessment methods

Attending Students (at least 80% attendance, which means participating in 16 out of 20 classes, certified by signing the attendance register in the classroom):

• Midterm written exam, consisting of both multiple-choice and open-ended questions on the first part of the syllabus (40% of the final grade).
• Class presentation and discussion on a topic related to the course content, which must be agreed upon in advance with the lecturer (40% of the final grade).
• Active and constructive participation in class activities, especially in discussions following the presentations (20% of the final grade).

Non-attending Students:

• Writing a short essay (maximum 3000 words) on a course-related topic, to be agreed upon with the lecturer (50% of the final grade).
• Final oral exam covering the entire course syllabus (50% of the final grade).

Teaching tools

Virtual platform virtuale.unibo.it, to which all students must register at the beginning of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Bozzon