At the end of the UC, the student will be able to:
1. Develop analytical and critical thinking skills combining analysis, judgment and creativity to generate innovative solutions and make balanced strategic decisions in a global environment.
2. Get a clear understanding of the possibilities of design thinking, with a practical understanding of how different organizations can benefit from design thinking strategies and techniques.
3. Allow students to learn critical thinking skills
4. Define creativity, understand how creativity can be stimulated, and describe the three types of idea management systems.
5. Understand the importance of teams, team structures and networks for innovation.
6. Be familiar with the concepts and language of public policy studies
7. Know the conception and design phase of public policies and design a public policy

Part I:
Public Policy Analysis
a. Policies and Politics
b. Government Institutions and Political Actors
c. Public Policy Design and Policymaking
Political Process: The Public Policy Cycle
Policy Agenda Setting
a. Fundamental Concepts
b. Multiple Streams Model, Punctuated Equilibrium, and Others
Policy Formulation
a. Problem Definition
b. Objective Formulation
c. Outcomes, Effectiveness, and Efficiency
Multilevel Governance and Multilevel Policy Formulation
Implementation, Error, and Learning
a. Top-down and Bottom-up Approaches
b. Organizational Processes
c. Learning from Implementation
Part II:
Introduction to Design Thinking
The Power of Why
Storytelling and Preparing the Mind
The Idea Generation Process and Overcoming Resistance
Mind Mapping
What Impresses and What Works
Designing Communication that Moves People
Creative Thinking and Digital Transformation

The assessment of this curricular unit consists of:

Throughout the semester with individual assignments, in accordance with the guidelines provided on the e-learning platform, as example:
a) Policy analysis/formulation report (60%)
b) Video recorded by the student to present final reflections and observations on the main learning topics (40%).

or

By exam, which consists of an individual assignment, in accordance with the guidelines provided on the e-learning platform:

a) Policy analysis/formulation report (60%)
b) Video recorded by the student online to present final reflections and observations on the main learning topics (40%).

"a) ability to articulate the ecological perspective with the practice of social intervention;
b) articulate / relate the theoretical and methodological knowledge for the design of social intervention projects and their operationalization in vulnerable territorial contexts;
c) conduct an interdisciplinary practice in vulnerable areas/territories with people;
(d) elaborate/prepare critical evaluations and assessments, including reflections on the ethical and social implications and responsibilities, in this field for the social well-being of the person."

"1 - Eco-social model:
- Conceptual dimensions
- Multifocal vision;
- Sustainable development Vs social sustainability;
2 - Levels of social intervention and of Social Work intervention:
- Interdisciplinary approach;
- Welfare Dimension Vs Social and Human Development;
- Human promotion;
- Community dimension of socio-local development;
- Socio-political dimension.
3 - The ecological issue:
- dimensions of ecological sustainability of the communities;
- methodology of social intervention of sustainability from community intervention programs;
- analysis of the social effects of the ecological crisis.
4- Social Work and ecological sustainability:
- integrated and participatory multi-level intervention for multidimensional approaches to individual-environment relations;
- social transition of the society;
- alternative intervention strategies, social advocacy and empowerment;
5 - Systemic Eco-social Social Work as:
- Global Ethical Challenges"

"Participated exhibition of the theoretical contents, with the support of the new technologies.
The classes will be collective spaces of debate of ideas and proposals promoting a constructive critical reflection, development and debate of topics related to the programmatic contents."

LO 1. Innovative skills: acquire knowledge of innovative practices in the field of social intervention, in contact with incubator professionals, through practical workshops of experimentation in real contexts.
LO2. Problem-solving : Identify and solve complex social problems using innovative approaches. Case studies and group projects will promote critical reflection and practical application of acquired knowledge, encouraging collaboration and creativity.
LO3. Practical skills: Develop technical skills in managing social innovation projects. Practical workshops and group projects in a hands-on environment using the tools and methods discussed in class.
LO4. Reflexive analysis: Discuss social challenges related to social innovation and the impact of their interventions, encouraging creative solutions to complex social problems.

1. Active Methodologies: implementation of techniques such as Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning.
Use of Technologies.
2. Measuring and managing impact: Concepts and methodologies
Defining social and environmental impact.
Evaluation tools and techniques.
Case studies of evaluated projects.
3. Design of an impact measurement and management plan
Identifying indicators and metrics.
Definition of evaluation periods.
Develop measurement and management plans.
4. Different types lab: Ideation: participants learn to identify business opportunities and create creative solutions to existing problems.
Business Model Canvas: effective business models, allowing young people to understand how to structure their idea
Digital Marketing: publicising and promoting products or services using digital tools. Finance for Entrepreneurs:
5. Impact measurement and management reports
Reflecting on change and ongoing impact management.

Case Studies (80%) (individual or group work): Analysis of real case studies on the application of innovative practices in social and environmental interventions. Identification of good practices, challenges and suggestions for improvement. Objective: To assess the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, to reflect critically and to propose innovative solutions.
Critical Thinking (20%) Description: Discussions and critical reflection on social challenges related to social innovation and the impact of interventions. These discussions will be based on experiences presented in class. Objective: To assess the ability to critically reflect and apply to practice.
This assessment structure ensures that students comprehensively develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to apply innovative practices in social and environmental interventions. Case studies and group projects allow for the practical and integrated application of acquired knowledge, while hands-on workshops develop technical skills. Critical reflection ensures an understanding of the impact of interventions and the application of ethical principles. The assessment for this course does not include the possibility of an examination.