SOCIOLOGIA DEL DIRITTO

Degree course: 
Corso di Long single cycle degree (5 years) in Law - Como
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2022/2023
Year: 
2
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2023/2024
Course type: 
Basic compulsory subjects
Language: 
Italian
Credits: 
6
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
35
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (35 hours)
Requirements: 

Knowledge of Constitutional Law and Private Law is required.

Final Examination: 
Orale

ATTENDING STUDENTS:
The exam will consist of an oral test concerning the topics discussed in class, with both general and more specific questions regarding the issues covered. The final grade will be given expressed out of thirty, with honours where appropriate. Assessment will take into account the ability to refer the contents of the program, as well as to reason and argue critically with regard to specific problems proposed during the course. Attention will be paid as well as to the capacity to interact during the lessons and to solve practical problems. In order to develop those last skills, a particular attention will be paid particularly during the second part of the course.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS: The exam will consist of an oral test on the full program, plus a thematic essay eventually (specific information to this regard will be given on the E-learning platform), with both general and more specific questions. The final grade will be expressed out of thirty, with honours where appropriate.
Assessment will take into account the accuracy and quality of answers, the proper use of technical legal terminology as well as the ability to justify, arguing persuasively claims and opinions.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

The course aims to offer students the first tools for understanding and studying law by combining the technical-formalistic approach, typical of the 'classical' jurist, with the critical approach that is proper to the sociologists of law.

There is a growing awareness in all law courses that the classic study based on content ant correct interpretation of laws should be accompanied by the ability to reason and evaluate the effectiveness of laws and their impact on citizens and social institutions.

Think, for example, to the debates surrounding on the effective enforcement of the rules protecting the dignity of the individuals, those fighting violence against women or concerning end-of-life choices, or trying to balance the rights of individuals and the development of artificial intelligence.

The aim of this course is therefore to add a key for studying and understnding the law that is indispensable to widen the interdisciplinary culture of the modern jurist, in order to move and work in a national and international context that is constantly and rapidly evolving.

At the end of the course, students will be able:
- to master the basic concepts of socio-legal theories as well as the empirical socio-legal research methods;
- to reason critically about legal institutions and phenomena, approaching them not only from a dogmatic or theoretical viewpoint, but also taking into consideration the effectiveness and impact of law and norms;
- to express coherently and with an appropriate and technically correct language;
- to approach the study of law with an autonomous and critical method, developing interactive and problem-solving skills. To this end, students will be asked to participate in the discussion of a Moot Court, which will be runned toghether with the professor.

In the first part of the course (approx. 8 hours), the main theoretical contributions to the development of the Sociology of Law will be highlited, following the reference manual.
In the second part of the course (approx. 27 hours)
more classic topics (e.g.: formation and application of the legal norm, effectiveness of the law, pluralism of the sources of law, evolution of fundamental rights, relations between law and the mass media) will be 'topicalised' with reference to even sensitive issues (eventually agreed upon with the students) such as the measures to prevent and contrast violence against women or organised crime, protection of privacy, consumer protection, freedom of information.
Research methods will also be discussed and meetings with journalists and information professionals may be organised.

Convenzionale

The course will take place in the first semester and will consist of in approximately 35 hours. Use will be made of materials and slides that will be discussed in class and made available to the attending students on the e-learning platform.
Teaching will include:
- theoretical lectures (about 8 hours);
- “pragmatic” lectures (about 27 hours), which will include:
- discussions on specific and current issues;
- discussions on practical cases and materials;
- meetings with journalists and representatives of the world of information and communication (subject to their availability);
- preparation and discussion of a mock trial.

Additional information may be requested at the end of the lessons. In any case, students can agree a reception with the Professor by sending an e-mail to the following address: cristina.reale@uninsubria.it. Further details will be provided through the University website and the e-learning platform.

ERASMUS students can attend classes in Italian and/or prepare a written paper in English on a research topic to be agreed with the Professor, who will support them in finding materials in English language and will supervise their research activity during dedicated meetings.