37355 - General and Social Oncological Pedagogy

Learning outcomes

One of the most critical aspects in the control of neoplastic disease is the issue of communication and psychological involvement of the patient and family members. At the end of the course, the student acquires the methods of approach to the patient with cancer and the framing of the problems of the patient and family members in the social context both in the phases of communication of the disease and in those of the clinical course up to the terminal phase.

Course contents

Pedagogical and communicative dimensions in grief processes

Experiencing sorrow, interpreting illness, dealing with death: pedagogical and philosophical dimensions




Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is suggested that they get in touch immediately with the University office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) and with the lecturer, in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the exam.

Readings/Bibliography

During the lectures, the lecturer will provide a selection of materials.


A reference bibliography is presented below:

Canguilhem G. (1943/1998). Il normale e il patologico. Torino: Einaudi.

Jankélévitch V. (1966/2009). La morte. Torino: Einaudi.

Kübler-Ross E. (1969/2015). La morte e il morire. Assisi: Cittadella

Lambruschi F., Battilani L. (2014).“La funzione del lutto nel mantenimento della coerenza sistemica del sé.” XV “Convegno Di Psicopatologia E Psicoterapia Post-Razionalista “Continuità, Cambiamento, Coerenza Sistemica E Complessità” Siena, Venerdì 23 Maggio 2014.

Tolstoj L. (1886/2008). La morte di Ivan Il'ic. Milano: Rizzoli.

Watzlawick P., Beavin J. H., Jackson D. (1967/1976), Pragmatica della comunicazione umana, Roma: Astrolabio.

Teaching methods

Lessons will be composed of moments of frontal explanation, discussion in subgroups and workshop activities.

Assessment methods

Written examination with multiple-choice answers (31 questions in 31 minutes, one point for each question, wrong answers are worth 0 as are answers not given).

The examination will be cumulative with questions covering the various modules of the integrated course MEDICAL ONCOLOGY: anaesthesia and pain therapy, radiotherapy, general and social pedagogy, oncology.


Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is advisable to contact the University office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) in good time: it will be its task to propose any possible adaptations to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance for approval by the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness also in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Slides and teaching materials available on the platform Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Pietro Corazza