76347 - Equal Opportunities Law

Learning outcomes

Due to the pandemic emergency currently in force for this year only the course, considering its features, will be organized according to the model of the Structured Seminar. Students interested in taking part to the Course are required to get in touch with Professor before enrolling to it.

For safety reasons no more than 25 students will be able to attend the Seminar.

All the lessons will be provided in classroom with one 4 hours lesson per week. Therefore, a total of 40 hours is scheduled for each student.

In the event that this method is not feasible then the course will delivered remotely via MS Teams

Students are required to actively participate to classes according to the syllabus provided.

Skills and abilities to be accomplished

The aim of this Course is a complex one, and particularly relevant when considering the current political- institutional debate. Equality in all its aspects is gaining more and more importance, both in a National and in an European/International outlook. The teaching path starts from the Italian Constitution, stressing the key role of equality throughout its whole text. Beginning from article 3, all of the parameters defining equality will be considered: gender, religion, language, race, personal conditions. This will make it possible to ascertain whether or not every possible step has so far been taken in order to accomplish equality in the real lives of both Institutions and citizens.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Considering the current political-institutional debate the present Course pursue a complex and very relevant goal. Equality in all its aspects is gaining more and more importance, both from a domestic and European/International point of view. The teaching path starts from the Italian Constitution, stressing the key role played by Equality in the Constitutional Charter as a whole. Beginning from article 3, all parameters defining Equality will be considered: gender, religion, language, race, personal conditions. The main question the Course is willing to respond is weather the principle of Equality reached a proper implementation both in Institutions and citizens’ lives.

Since 2019-2020 this Course adopted a cutting-edge approach to the principle of Equality. It consists of lessons, exegesis of the Constitution, in-depth analysis of domestic and foreign legislation and case-law. In addition, movies will be watched during classes to “see on stage” specific cases of equality/inequalities. Movies and documentaries inspired by real stories are followed by discussion in class to reflect on the relevant “equality parameter” in the case at issue.

Lessons will be held with ppt, ruling and laws also in comparative perspective.

This course should enable students to:

1) Understand origins and achievements of the Equality principle;

2) Understand the meaning of “stereotipe” and when it becomes “prejudice”;

3) Evaluate implications of the Equality principle;

4) Comment laws and rules concerning equality in a national, European and international perspective

5) Successfully understand the meaning of institutional changes and their consequences in the legal system to identify possible further steps to enhance the accomplishment of the Equality principle in its various aspects.

Knowledge and abilities to be achieved:

Students will reach a deep knowledge of domestic (Italian), European and international laws concerning the Equality principle, as well as case-law on this subject.

Course contents

The target of this course is a complex. This is why a preliminary introduction to the principle of Equality is required. After that specific parameters provided in Art. 3 of the Constitution will be analyzed in detail, too.

Programme:

The equality principle and its specifications:

- Equal without sex discrimination

- Equal without race discrimination

- Equal without language discrimination

- Equal without religion discrimination

- Equal without discriminations based on political opinions, personal and social conditions

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students, readings will be supplied by the teacher via mailing list. It is recommended to students to keep a copy of the Constitution at hand during lessons.

Course textbook for non-attending students is:

F. Rescigno (a cura di), Percorsi di eguaglianza, Giappichelli, Torino, 2016.

Knowledge and consultation of the Italian Constitution are MANDATORY

Teaching methods

The course will start with an in-depth analysis of Constitutional principles and Justice, stressing in particular the Equality principle; Then, Italian and European laws regarding equal opportunities will be analyzed, both from a national and a comparative perspective, too.

This course includes two different paths, for attending and non-attending students, respectively. Attending students are students following not less than 75% of lessons. After every lesson, students will be requested to sign out. Attendance records will be kept by the teacher.

Assessment methods

This course includes two different paths, for attending and non-attending students, respectively.

1. Attending students are students following not less than 75% of lessons. After every lesson, students will be asked to sign out. Attendance records will be kept by the teacher. Students will be able to reach a full understanding of the topics at issue by watching movies, ppts, notes, rulings and laws provided by Professor Rescigno during classes. Focus with experts will be organized too. 
2. Non attending students are required to study on the book F. Rescigno (a cura di), Percorsi di eguaglianza, Giappichelli, Torino, 2016. The exam consists of an oral interview.

 

Attending students will pass their learning test by discussing with the teacher and course mates a self-arranged presentation about a specific topic, to be decided in agreement with Professor Rescigno.

Non-attending students will undergo a standard oral examination.

Teaching tools

Ppts and DVDs.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Rescigno