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Learning outcomes

The general educational objective of the course consists in providing basic theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the work group dynamics. The paradigmatic reference is the System Theory and Systemic Psychology. The specific educational objectives are: knowledge of the elements, relationships and main stages of the working groups, and ability to analyze the modalities of intervention.

The course consists of frontal lectures and dialogic moments. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and case studies analysis starting from the professional experience already acquired.

Program

The course implies five meetings of two academic hours each, for a total of 10 academic hours.

The course program is the following:
- introduction to the course
- relational ontology
- systemic theory of groups
- training and group management
- practical and experiential aspects of the group dynamics
- conclusions.

Teaching materials: course' powerpoint arranged by the teacher; class' notes; excerpt from suggested books.

Recommended Bibliography (the following books are suggested for those intended to deepen the theme of the course; it is NOT required to buy them):
- Quaglino G.P., Casagrande S., Castellano A. (1992). Gruppo di lavoro, lavoro di gruppo. Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano.
- Quaglino G.P., Cortese C. G. (2003). Gioco di squadra. Come un gruppo di lavoro può diventare una squadra eccellente. Raffaello Cortina Editore.
- Malaguti D. (2007). Fare squadra. Psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro. il Mulino.
- De Grada E. (2000). Fondamenti di psicologia dei gruppi. Carrocci, Roma.
- Anzieu D., Marin J.Y. (2010). Dinamica dei piccoli gruppi. Edizioni Borla, Roma.
- Brown R. (2000). Psicologia sociale dei gruppi. Il Mulino, Bologna.
- Trevisani D. (2016). Team leadership e comunicazione operativa. Principi e pratiche per il miglioramento continuo individuale e di team. Franco Angeli, Milano.
- de Vries M. K. (2015). Mindful leadership coaching. Percorsi verso una leadership consapevole. FerrariSinibaldi Editori.

Examination Methods

Students, in groups of four to six elements, are invited to produce an oral presentation to the class in the form of 'case study' on a topic to be discussed with the lecturer. The presentation, to be done during the last lesson of the course, will be then extended and deepened in the form of a group final report, which will constitute material for the evaluation. Students must also provide an individual report on another topic to be agreed with the lecturer, still in the form of 'case study'. Both these reports should include the topics discussed during the lessons and/or the didactical material provided by the lecturer.

The evaluation will be based on the following works:
- participation during lessons;
- in-class power point presentation of the group's work;
- written report of the group on the case study;
- individual report on case study.

For the final mark, each student has 13 points available, from 18/30 to 30/30 included:
a. 1 point for participation in class;
b. 6 points for group works, with special attention to the coherence, consistency, originality and strength of the power point presentation in the classroom and the final report;
b. 6 points for individual work.

Laude is assigned to outstanding works.

Marks of this module will be sent to Prof. Luca Fabbri, head of the whole course, which will compose the final mark based on the marks other modules belonging to the same course. He will communicate the final marks to the students. Students can write directly to the lecturer or the present module in order the know their mark.

The length of the reports must approximately be 2/3 pages for each group's component, and about 3/4 pages for the individual works. A group of 4 students, therefore, will send a report between 8 and 12 pages. It must be written with font 12 and line spacing 1.5. Those who want to exceed these limits are welcome. However, I want to remark that an increased length of the paper does not always coincide with higher quality.

The group's report must also include a part of self-analysis of group dynamics. I recommend to analyze the entire period in which the group worked together, from the first lesson to the final moment, defining:
- Group formation modalities
- The selection modalities of the theme (noosphere partition)
- Modes of formation of roles and assignment of sub-themes to individuals
- Potential conflicts and resolution of conflicts
- Integration of new elements in the group
- Distribuition and administration of meetings and workloads
- Management of the final presentation and final reports.

The deadline for submission of material will be discussed and decided in accordance with the students. For the evaluation, the following material must be sent to the lecturer:
- Power point of the final presentation;
- Group report;
- Individual report.

In each document, please provide the name of the group and members.

I am available for any clarification.