B8982 - Sociology of Law and Information and Communication Technology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student - knows the main classical sociological theories most relevant for the formation of a sociological vision of law - is able to understand the legal phenomenon in its dynamic relationship with the development of society - is able to understand in a sociological key some of the most important social dynamics related to the use of technologies.

Course contents

The course will be divided in two parts. 
A) The first part will be dedicated to the exposition of the theories and philosophical and legal currents that have contributed to the formation of a sociological vision of law.
The main problems of contemporary sociology of law will then be illustrated with reference to the sociological currents they derive from, with a focus on the Durkhemian, Marxian, Weberian and structural-functionalist schools.
Particular attention will be paid to empirical research methodologies and their applications in the legal field.

B) The second part of the course will be devoted to analysing, from a sociological perspective and with the help of the paradigms studied, some of the most important social dynamics linked to the use of technologies, such as, for example, the phenomena of polarisation, the creation of ideological bubbles and online hate speech.

Readings/Bibliography

Necessary readings:

Part A.

For students not attending the course: R. Treves, Sociologia del diritto, Einaudi, Torino, whatever edition, par. 1-9, 12-13, 19-24, 26, 28, chap. VII, chap. IX.

For students attending the course (at least, 70% of the classes), it will be possible, alternatively, to study the materials and the integrations delivered during the classes.

Part B. FOR ALL STUDENTS: Annalisa Verza, Governare l'irrazionalità, Aracne, Roma, 2026.

Teaching methods

Frontal teaching. The teacher will also use powerpoint slides and films. In general during the course, discussion among the students on the theoretical issues addressed will be encouraged.

Attending classes is not compulsory, but only students who attended at least the 70% of the classes will have the possibility to opt for the alternative assessment methods (see below).

Assessment methods

The student will be asked to discuss some of the relevant topics of the course, in order to assess not only the knowledge of the discipline, but also the methodology and capacity for criticism developed by the student.

Graduation of the final grade

Preparation on a very limited number of topics; analytical skills emerging only with the help of the teacher; overall correct language → 18-19.

Preparation on a limited number of topics; limited analytical skills; correct language → 20-24.

Preparation on a large number of topics; analytical skills; mastery of specific terminology → 25-29.

Exhaustive preparation; analytical skills above average; full mastery of specific terminology; autonomous argumentation skills → 30-30L.

Only the students regularly ATTENDING at least the 70% of the classes will have the possibility to be examined according to an alternative method, involving:

- first of all a written multiple-choice test (duration:40 minutes) on the topics of parts A; the mark for this test will be determined mathematically by the number of correct answers; the maximum mark for all correct answers will be 30; textbooks and notes may not be used during the test

- For part B, an individual paper (an essay of about 2 pages) or a group presentation (a powerpoint of at least 3-4 slides per participant) on one of the topics examined, to be uploaded in Virtuale. Use of AI is forbidden.

The final grade, which may be up to 30 cum laude, will be determined from the grade of the written test on part A, which may be raised on the basis of the quality of the work on part B.

Teaching tools

The teacher will use powerpoint slides, Teams, the Virtuale platform, online tools for the creation of written tests, and films.

Students with special needs related to different forms of disability or to DSA, are welcome to contact their teacher in order to be referred to the contact persons and to arrange the most appropriate measures to be taken.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Verza