CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY BETWEEN LAW AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Degree course: 
Corso di First cycle degree in Communication Sciences
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2018/2019
Year: 
2
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2019/2020
Course type: 
Supplementary compulsory subjects
Credits: 
8
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
64
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (64 hours)
Requirements: 

None

The exam consists of an oral test aimed at assessing the acquisition and correct understanding of the course contents. There will be a question on each author discussed in class to test the knowledge of the topic, presentation skills and analytic skills. The final mark will be based on the accuracy and quality of answers, as well as communication skills and the ability to formulate adequate statements, analyses and judgments shown during the oral test.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

The course focuses on the foundations of law starting from the study of evolution of legal systems.
A complete analysis of the different forms of juridical communication in the ancient world will be proposed, in comparison with actual law too.
The final goal is to provide tools for analysis, evaluation and comparison of ancient and contemporary law.
Among the expected learning outcomes are the ability to apply and interpret the historical and legal knowledge gained in order to acquire skills to reach, thanks to the acquired tools (information, theories, interpretations), the critical and analytical skills of legal e literary texts.

The course will analyze the way in which political power in social area in classical world could communicate its intent of legal regulation: the Greco-Roman world; the Roman-Christian world; the Enlightenment revolution; the introduction of codices; current law. The course also includes the analysis of real trials and cases.
In detail, the main topics are:

Communicative tools and legal language
The principles of the law
The family in Greek and Roman world
The history of European law
The role of the Corpus Juris in Europe
The Roman law heritage
The process, sanctions and punishments
Power and the death penalty in Rome.

Required readings:
- E. Cantarella, Come uccidere il padre. Genitori e figli da Roma a oggi, Feltrinelli.
- Excerpts from M. Austin e P. Vidal Naquet, Economie e società nella Grecia Antica, Boringhieri, 1982 (see e-learning).
- Ambrogio e Simmaco, La maschera della tolleranza, Epistole 17 e 18. Terza Relazione, Rizzoli.

Recommended reading:
M. Yourcenar, Le memorie di Adriano, Einaudi.

Convenzionale

Activities will take place through lectures, in which the teacher will explain the content of the course, require the involvement of students through exercises, vision, hearing and review of documents; dialogue and discussion with the class through the analysis and discussion of topics.
Audio and video resources will be constantly used.

Office hours by appointment
paola.biavaschi@uninsubria.it

Professors