03575 - Sociology of Law

Academic Year 2022/2023

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Law (cod. 9232)

    Also valid for Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Law (cod. 9232)

Learning outcomes

The acquisition of the fundamental principles that regulate the relations between social change and legal change; the analysis of the main theories that identify the connections between economic-political and cultural factors and the legal system; the study of social phenomena of particular importance for the world of law.

Course contents

The course aims to address the main issues of sociology of law. Starting from the theoretical status of this as a specialist branch of sociology, the student will be able to acquire specific theoretical knowledge and develop analytical skills regarding the characteristic themes of the discipline.

- the evolution from social action to norms, and from norms to law, seen as a normative system;

- analysis of the structure, functions and dynamics of the law;

- The role of the law and its function within the social system will be addressed in the light of classical and contemporary debate. The relationship between rule and sanction, right and institution, right, roles and status will be dealt with in consideration of the contribution of the major exponents of the discipline.

Particular attention will be paid to issues related to conflict and justice, to judicial and non-judicial methods of dealing with disputes, seeking to investigate the effectiveness of the different procedures. The course will also deal with the formation of sociology as an empirical science with the related epistemological problems that accompany it and the main methods of research.

Seminars organized by the chair

Seminar on Legal Anthropology, an activity of 2 C.f.u., to achieve which a frequency of lessons not less than 75% of the total is required.

Further information can be obtained from the teacher stefania.pellegrini@unibo.it [mailto:stefania.pellegrini@unibo.it] or the seminar coordinator s.spada@unibo.it [mailto:s.spada@unibo.it] .

Readings/Bibliography

Examination programme for students enrolled in the Master's Degree course in Law:
1) Manual part:

V. FERRARI, Lineamenti di sociologia del diritto, Laterza, Roma v Bari, (1997 and following reprints);

2) Deepening parts
A text of your choice from the following volumes:

a) S. PELLEGRINI, Professione giustizia. Giuristi tra etica professionale e responsabilità di ruolo, Cedam, Padova 2013.

b) C. BARTOLI, Razzisti per legge. l'Italia che discrimina, Laterza, Bari, 2012.

Examination programme for students who do not attend the Master's Degree course in Law (also valid for those who are enrolled in the old system):
1) Manual part:

R. TREVES, Sociologia del diritto, Einaudi, Torino, 2002: Part I and Chapter VII ("The Methods");

e

V. FERRARI, Lineamenti di sociologia del diritto, Laterza, Roma v Bari, (1997 and following reprints);

2) Deepening parts:
A text of your choice from the following volumes:

a) S. PELLEGRINI, Professione giustizia. Giuristi tra etica professionale e responsabilità di ruolo, Cedam, Padova 2013.

b) C. BARTOLI, Razzisti per legge. l'Italia che discrimina, Laterza, Bari, 2012.

Information for foreign students participating in the Socrates-Erasmus project

1) Manual part:

V. FERRARI, Lineamenti di sociologia del diritto, Laterza, Roma v Bari, (1997 and following reprints);

2) Deepening parts
A text of your choice from the following volumes:

a) S. PELLEGRINI, Professione giustizia. Giuristi tra etica professionale e responsabilità di ruolo, Cedam, Padova 2013.

b) C. BARTOLI, Razzisti per legge. l'Italia che discrimina, Laterza, Bari, 2012.

Teaching methods

The course provides face-to-face lectures and will be held in the second Semester.

Students are invited to consult the website www.giuri.unibo.it for the timetable and location of the lessons.

Assessment methods

The profit examination will be held exclusively in oral form with the aim of verifying the adequate acquisition of knowledge by the student according to the course objectives.

Learning will be assessed by means of an interview with the lecturer and the collaborators of the chair, on the topics covered by the course programme.

In addition, the assessment of the test will be made taking into account:

- knowledge of different theoretical orientations;

- the ability to analyse the links between social and formal aspects of law;

- the ability to make links between the different parts of the programme;

- the ability to develop critical arguments;

- the articulation and accuracy of the exposure;

- accuracy in the use of context-specific terminology.

 

Specifically, the following assessment criteria will be taken into account when awarding the final mark, expressed in thirtieths:

- knowledge and understanding of the notions and principles of the subject and level of in-depth study (50%);

- ability to make connections between the different parts of the programme, ability to analyse critically the topics covered by the examination questions (20%);

- appropriate use of sociological, technical and legal vocabulary, ability to expound, ability to analyse and evaluate relevant sources and acquisition of the study method (30%).

 

Final dissertation

Students intending to apply for a thesis in one of the disciplines related to the chair are requested to come to a reception interview, the only way to formalise the assignment of the final thesis, no less than 5 months in advance if three-year students, 8 months in advance if master's students. Formal admission to the thesis work is conditional on the submission of an initial index accompanied by an essential bibliography on the topic proposed by the student or suggested by the lecturer and/or his/her collaborators. A detailed vademecum for writing the thesis will be distributed to undergraduates.



Teaching tools

Power point slides will be used to facilitate comprehension of the detailed topics covered by the course. These will be downloadable from the teaching resources platform for the exclusive use of the students attending the course who have a password.

 Students who, for reasons dependent on disabilities or specific learning disorders (DSAs), need compensatory tools can communicate their needs to the Teacher in order to be addressed to the contacts and agree on the most appropriate measures.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Pellegrini

SDGs

Gender equality Reduced inequalities Peace, justice and strong institutions

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.