Democracy and Social Participation
Code: 101666Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Social Education | OP | 3 |
| Social Education | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Carlos Delclos Gomez-Moran
- Email :
- carlos.delclos@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking the course.
Objectives
The subject aims to contribute to the degree in Social Education a vision of democracy and social participation that is useful for socio-educational work in various spheres, territorial and/or institutional contexts.
From a conceptual point of view, we will start from an understanding of democracy that goes beyond its formal and institutional aspects ("democracy" as a set of procedures and institutions linked to state power) and includes its social dimension (What is a democratic society and how is it built? What is the relationship between democracy and civil society? What is its relationship with social inequalities?), linking the analysis of democracy and the spheres of social inclusion (state, market and community). We will reflect on consolidated practices such as citizen participation in the local sphere promoted by public administrations, and emerging concepts such as the commons, social innovation, or the relationship between political action and ICTs.
We will emphasize the analysis of social participation as a socio-educational practice with transformative potential in diverse social contexts. We will also deepen our knowledge of strategies and practices that foster citizen participation in the public sphere.
Learning outcomes
- Identifying, describing and analysing didactic models, strategies and curricular material on political culture and civic culture.
- Analyse different types of communities and the main characteristics that define and shape them.
- Analyse and apply critical reasoning to the understanding of representative versus participatory democracy. Understand power, government and governance.
- Reflecting on, evaluating and applying the changes required in educational practice regarding the Concept of participation. Participation as an end and as a means for change.
- Reflecting on, evaluating and applying the changes required in educational practice with regard to the participation of the public from the perspective of the administration: models and devices.
- Reflecting on, evaluating and applying the changes required in educational practice with regard to the Social Participation from the perspective of social players: social movements and associations.
- Design and develop participatory processes in social and community education.
- Apply participatory techniques: Participatory Action Research (PAR), to community diagnosis.
- Maintaining an attitude of respect for practices and types of behaviour that address fairness and inclusion.
- Working in multidisciplinary teams, developing processes of social/community education.
- Propose projects and actions that are in accordance with the principles of ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and obligations, diversity and democratic values.
- Analyse the sex- or gender-based inequalities and the gender biases present in one's own area of knowledge.
- Propose new ways to measure the success or failure of the implementation of innovative proposals or ideas.
- Identify the principal forms of sex- or gender-based inequality and discrimination present in society.
Contents
I. CONCEPTUAL BLOCK
- Democracy, politics, and participation: a preliminary approach
- Social structure and participation: democracy and inequality
- Types of participation: civic, community, and citizen participation
- Dimensions of democracy, the democratic trinity
- The dialogic dimension: participation ecosystem. Channels and guarantees
- Associations, myths, and challenges
- Community action
- The community in action
- Social infrastructures
- Digital transformation
II. METHODOLOGICAL BLOCK
- Sociograms
- Public debate: phases, actors, and results
- Synthesis methodologies. How to run a workshop in a participatory process.
- Community methodologies
- Assemblies by drawing lots and participatory budgets
- Has it done any good? Evaluating participation
III. CASES AND EXPERIENCES
- Citizens initiatives
- Community development
- Social infrastructure
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal work | 40 | 1.6 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 |
| Individual supervision | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 |
| Supervision in small group | 20 | 0.8 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 |
| Work assignments: Presentation and discussion | 30 | 1.2 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 |
| Presentations (and discussion) of the group projects | 15 | 0.6 | 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
| Work assignments | 35 | 1.4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 |
Presentations by the teaching staff on the content and basic questions on the syllabus. This is carried out with the whole class and allows the main contents to be presented through open and active participation by the students. Specific seminar sessions supervised by the lecturers where, through analysis of documents, resolution of cases, and various activities, the contents and topics worked on are studied in depth.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participations in seminars | 15% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 |
| Examination | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14 |
| Final presentation of the Workgroups | 35% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
Continuous evaluation will be based on the following items:
a) 50% of the final mark corresponds to a final exam on the theoretical contents of the program and the compulsory bibliography (11/01/2027).
Results will be returned within a period not exceeding 20 business days of the academic calendar. Students who request it will have an individual tutorial to review their test and ask for explanations about the correction criteria.
b) 35% of the mark corresponds to the completion and presentation of a group project. All group projects will be discussed by the teacher and the class group in a workshop. The papers will be delivered in paper format on 11/01/2027.
c) 15% of the mark corresponds to attendance and class participation. To pass the course, it will be compulsory to take all the tests, to have passed the exam (test A), and to have obtained a minimum of 4.5 (out of 10) in the group project. Both the exam and the group project (individual project, for those opting for the single evaluation) can be recovered on 25/01/2027 through a written exam.
Class attendance is considered an essential requirement to pass the subject.
Single evaluation will be based on the following:
- A written exam conducted on the same day as the final exam for continuous evaluation. This will determine 60% of the final mark.
- An individual project on any of the areas covered in class, to be presented on the same day as the final exam. This will determine 40% of the final mark.
To pass this subject, students need to demonstrate good overall communicative skills, both orally and in writing, and a solid command of the language or languages specified in the course guide. Therefore, linguistic accuracy, writing skills, and formal presentation will be taken into account in all activities (individual and group). Students must be able to express themselves fluently and accurately, while also demonstrating a high level of comprehension of academic texts. An activity may be returned (not graded) or failed if the teacher considers that it does not meet these requirements.
Students will be graded as Not Assessable if they have not completed any of the scheduled assessment activities during the course, in accordance with point 9 of article 266 of the UAB Academic Regulations.
This course does not offer a Synthesis Test for students enrolling for the second time, in line with point 2 of article 267 of the UAB Academic Regulations.
WARNING: Plagiarism in individual papers and/or assignments will be considered a reason for failing the course.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches and text correction. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in this graded activity may result in a penalty.
Bibliography
MANDATORY BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Software
No specific software is foreseen for this subject.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 4 | Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |