00218 - Canon Law

Learning outcomes

The Canon Law course aims to introduce a knowledge of one juridical system based on a religious not changeable source . This assumption gives to the law of the catholic Church a strong originality in comparison to the world of the secular laws. Its history is fundamental for the knowledge of European legal culture. Many institutions and many solutions of the juridical problems adopted by the States laws, are derived, in fact, from the canonical models. The configuration of the hierarchical Church and its"constitutional" right will be, with the marriage (and its crisis), the main topics of the lectures.
These references show the character of this educational and cultural discipline that interesting the both profiles: the positive law and the history of law.

Course contents

The course of Canon Law is designed to have the students undestand how a legal sistem on a religious basis was originated and works. The most important themes will concern the sistem of souces and the legal costitution of tha Roman Church. A specific treatment will be devoted to religious marriage and its links with civil marriage.

Readings/Bibliography

G. CAPUTO, Introduzione allo studio del Diritto Canonico moderno. Tomo I: Lo jus publicum ecclesiasticum, Padova, Cedam, 1987 (appendici escluse), pp. 250;
A. ZANOTTI, Il matrimonio nell'età della tecnica, Torino, G. Giappichelli editore, 2007.
G. BONI, A. ZANOTTI, La Chiesa tra nuovo paganesimo e oblio. Un ritorno alle origini per il diritto canonico del terzo millennio?, G. Giappichelli editore, Torino, 2012.

The textbooks suggested to Erasmus students are those by Giuseppe Caputo, for the parts already mentioned in this giude.

Teaching methods

The course will be lessons held by the professor. He will have the task of tracking the general framework and address the crucial joints of the conceptual structure of the course. Italian and foreign scholars will be invited for lessons on specific topics.

Assessment methods

The examination consists in an oral examination with teacher and his assitants. In order to substain the oral examination you are required to attend classes at least for a minimum of 75%.

Teaching tools

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Zanotti