73091 - Philosophy of Law (2) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Philosophy of law from a normative point of view. The concept of law, human rights, democracy are keywords of the course.

Course contents

Beyond the Law. On Torture

 

This course deals with two very controversial “judicial practices” or punishments or crimes still under discussion today in the world: death penalty and torture.

Starting point is Cesare Beccaria's masterpiece Dei delitti e delle pene. Beccaria's essay played a crucial role in the 18th century's debate on abolition of torture and criticism of the death penalty, on the ground of the defence of the principle of legal certainty in connection with the principle of equity of law.

The second part will focus on Beccaria’s chapter on torture. This topic will be analysed in reference to the international debate too. Relevant moral and juridical arguments for or against torture in democratic contexts will be enucleate, define and discuss together.

 

Class Schedule

I Semester - II Period

Mo, Tu, We 11-13

Classroom A (C.trecento)

Start Date: November 2019.

Readings/Bibliography

Cesare Beccaria, Dei delitti e delle pene, Milan, Feltrinelli, 1991.

Friedrich von Spee, I processi contro le streghe (Cautio criminalis), Rome, Salerno Editrice, 2004.

Massimo La Torre and Marina Lalatta Costerbosa, Legalizzare la tortura? Ascesa e declino dello Stato di diritto, Bologna, il Mulino, 2013 (esp. translation Tirant Lo Blanche, Madrid, 2018)

 

This program is valid for both attending and non-attending students.

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion.

Interdisciplinary seminars will be hold by experts working in the field.

Assessment methods

Final oral examination. Room 5.01 (str. Zamboni 38). On September there will be an examination schedule.

Evaluating criteria:

1. Expertise; practical reasoning ability; critical competence.

Notes:

18-21/30 basic level

22-25/30 moderate level

26-28/30 good level

29-30/30 excellent level.

Teaching tools

http://www.sifd.eu

Links to further information

http://Si consiglia di consultare regolarmente la pagina web "Contenuti utili" del Portale personale della docente.

Office hours

See the website of Marina Lalatta Costerbosa