05720 - History of Law (D-L)

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of Italian and European legal history through the threefold study of legal sources, legal thought, and legal scholarship.

Course contents

The course examines the origins, development, and literary forms of the schools of law; the lives, thought, and works of the leading jurists; and the sources of law from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Readings/Bibliography

Preparation for the examination differs for attending and non-attending students.

Attending students

For attending students, the examination will cover only the topics discussed during the course.

Attendance will be recorded through the University's attendance tracking system:
https://rps.unibo.it/

Students who attend at least 44 out of 60 class sessions will be considered attending students.

Non-attending students

For non-attending students, the examination is based on the compulsory study of the following textbook:

P. Alvazzi del Frate, M. Cavina, R. Ferrante, M. Miletti, N. Sarti, S. Solimano, G. Speciale, E. Tavilla, Tempi del diritto. Età medievale, moderna, contemporanea, edited by E. Tavilla, 4th ed., Turin, Giappichelli, 2025, pp. 49–411 (excluding Chapter 4, §§ 1, 4 and 9; Chapter 7, §§ 5 and 6; Chapter 8, §§ 3d, 3e, 10, 13 and 14).

Students who obtained attendance status in previous academic years

Students who obtained attendance status in a previous academic year may choose to prepare the examination either on the syllabus adopted in the academic year in which they fulfilled the attendance requirement or on the current syllabus.

International students participating in the Erasmus Programme

International students participating in the Erasmus Programme are advised to prepare the examination using the following textbook:

M. Bellomo, L'Europa del diritto comune, Enna, Euno Edizioni, 2016.

Supplementary examination requirements for students transferring from other degree programmes

The supplementary examination programme for students transferring from other degree programmes will be determined on an individual basis, taking into account the programme previously completed and the number of ECTS credits to be recognised.

Teaching methods

Teaching will be delivered through lectures providing a systematic presentation and discussion of the topics covered by the course.

The course is divided into two modules:

• Module I will be taught by Professor Alessia Legnani Annichini.

• Module II will be taught by Professor Nicoletta Sarti.

Assessment methods

Please note that the course will be taught during the second semester. Consequently, students who fulfil the attendance requirement in the current academic year will be eligible to take the examination from the first examination session of the summer exam period.

The final examination will be conducted orally.

The examination will cover the topics listed under the section "Programme and Course Contents" and is designed to assess whether students have achieved the following learning outcomes:

• knowledge of the history of legal thought, legal sources, legal scholarship, and legal institutions from the Middle Ages to the present day in Italy and continental Europe;

• understanding of the importance of historical training in strengthening the knowledge and skills of the future legal professional.

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

• knowledge and understanding of the course contents;

• ability to establish connections between the different parts of the programme;

• ability to develop critical arguments;

• clarity and organisation of the oral presentation;

• accuracy and precision of the presentation.

Grading Criteria

For guidance purposes only, final grades will be awarded according to the following criteria:

• 18–21: Satisfactory or barely satisfactory knowledge of the topics covered; limited critical ability; difficulty in using appropriate legal terminology.

• 22–25: Fair to good knowledge of the topics covered; adequate critical ability; good command of legal terminology.

• 26–29: Good to very good knowledge of the topics covered; good critical ability; confident command of legal terminology.

• 30–30 cum laude: Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered; excellent critical ability; full mastery of legal terminology.

Registration for the examination must be completed through the AlmaEsami platform:
https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm

All examinations will be held in person.

Degree Dissertation

The degree dissertation, devoted to the in-depth study of institutions, legal figures, or specific aspects of medieval, early modern, and contemporary legal history, will be assigned to students who demonstrate a genuine interest in historical legal studies.

Please note that requests from students who declare that they are unable or unwilling to devote the time necessary to the preparation of the dissertation will not be accepted, as the dissertation is intended to constitute a meaningful and intellectually rewarding research experience.

Teaching tools

The course will be delivered entirely with the support of digital teaching materials, including presentation slides.

To facilitate preparation for the course and the examination, students are strongly encouraged to download the teaching materials that will be made available on the course webpage:

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/alessia.legnani/didattica/programma/2026/450289

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), temporary or permanent disabilities: students are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office well in advance:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it

The office will discuss with the student any appropriate accommodations. Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in light of the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Alessia Legnani Annichini

See the website of Nicoletta Sarti