76347 - Equal Opportunities Law

Learning outcomes

The goal of this course is a complex one that appears particularly relevant in light of the most recent political-institutional debate, considering the growing importance of equality in all its various facets at national, European and international level.

Course contents

THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES LAW COURSE TAKES PLACE IN PRESENCE ONLY AND IS LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS.

The entire course will be held in presence with 1 weekly meeting of 4 consecutive hours (Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

Students are asked to read before class the materials assigned, according to the instructions given by the Professor.

Active participation is always required.

The course begins with the analysis of the Constitution, highlighting the key role of equality. Article 3 and all the different parameters there enshrined are studied in depth. and then declines the principle of equality in the different Gender, religion, language, race, personal conditions will be analyzed as discriminating factors. It will be also verified what has been done and what remains to be done for the principle of equality to be fully realised in the daily practice of institutions and society.

Since 2019-2020 academic year, the course has changed the teaching system, by 'experimenting' a new approach that gets along with lectures, the examination of the Constitution, the study and knowledge of domestic and foreign legislations and judgments, by also watching some movies that 'play on the stage' specific cases of equality/inequality. These movies and docu-films have real stories as starting points and are preceded and followed by theoretical reflections on the specific parameter under discussion.

Lectures will be based on slides, judgments and normative references also from a comparative perspective.

The course aims to provide students with:

1. the tools necessary to understand the emergence and establishment of the principle of equality;

2. the ability to understand what a stereotype is and when it turns into a prejudice;

3. the ability to evaluate the consequences of the principle of equality;

4. the ability to interpret national, European and international legislations and jurisprudence on equality;

5. the ability to understand the significance of institutional changes and the weight of such transformations with respect to the general legal system, in order also to highlight what steps still need to be taken to really realize the principle of equality in its various declinations.

 

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

F. Rescigno – G. Giorgini Pignatiello (eds.), One Earth – One Health. La costruzione giuridica del Terzo millennio, Giappichelli, Torino, 2023.

Further reading materials (laws, judgments, conventions...) for participants will be distributed by the Professor via mailing list or in class.

It is recommended to always have a copy of the Constitution at hand.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

The texts adopted for NON-attending students are the followings:

F. Rescigno (ed.), Percorsi di eguaglianza, Giappichelli, Turin, 2016.

F. Rescigno – G. Giorgini Pignatiello (eds.), One Earth – One Health. La costruzione giuridica del Terzo millennio, Giappichelli, Torino, 2023.

Consultation and knowledge of the Italian Constitution is INDISPENSABLE.

Teaching methods

The course has two different tracks for attending and NON-attending participants.
Attending students are those who have attended at least 75% of the lectures.
Attendance records will be kept for each lesson.

For those attending, knowledge of the subject will be acquired by reading and discussing the textbook (F. Rescigno - G. Giorgini Pignatiello (eds.), One Earth – One Health. La costruzione giuridica del Terzo millennio, Giappichelli, Torino, 2023), by watching movies, studying the slides, notes, judgments, legal references and materials provided by Prof. Rescigno during the course.
Specific in-depth discussions with guests and experts are also planned.
At the end of the course, each participant is asked to give a presentation to the Professor and the class on a specific topic agreed upon in advance with the Professor.
The presentation may take the form of a paper, a video, a simulation, etc.

For those NOT attending, knowledge of the subject will be acquired through the study of:

F. Rescigno (ed.), Percorsi di eguaglianza, Giappichelli, Turin, 2016, and
F. Rescigno - G. Giorgini Pignatiello (eds.), One Earth – One Health. La costruzione giuridica del Terzo millennio, Giappichelli, Torino, 2023.

NON attending students are asked to pass a "traditional" oral examination.

Assessment methods

Successful completion of the examination for attending students is gained by showing a presentation to the class and the Professor on a specific topic agreed in advance with Professor Rescigno.

For NON attending students the course is passed with an oral examination based on the above mentioned text books.

 

Teaching tools

Ppts and DVDs.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Rescigno