The course pursues two main teaching objectives: to provide the students
with a clear overview of some fundamental concepts and theories of
contemporary philosophy of law, and to apply such concepts and theories
to a number of current issues of international and European law. With regard to each topic of the course the students are expected to
acquire a good knowledge of the most important theoretical positions at
stake and of their political and legal consequences. The course will help
students to increase their ability to reflect on the developments of
international and European law in a critically and informed way, to take a
stance on the subjects of the course and to argue for their own views. To
that end, the course will include for seminar lectures, active participation
by the students and class presentations
The course will address the following conceptual and normative issues:
1. legal nature and legitimacy of international law
2. sources and interpretation of international law
3. theories of human rights
4. global cosmopolitanism and its critics
5. theory and practice of international refugee law
With regard to European law (ECHR and EU law) the course will approach
the following topics:
1. European integration and theory of the legal system
2. Constitutional pluralism and interjudicial dialogue
3. The interpretation of EU law and of the ECHR
4. Theories of democracy and European Union
The course pursues two main teaching objectives: to provide the students
with a clear overview of some fundamental concepts and theories of
contemporary philosophy of law, and to apply such concepts and theories
to a number of current issues in international and European law. With
regard to international law, the course will address the following
conceptual and normative issues:
1. legal nature and legitimacy of international law
2. sources and interpretation of international law
3. theories of human rights
4. global cosmopolitanism and its critics
5. theory and practice of international refugee law
With regard to European law (ECHR and EU law) the course will approach
the following topics:
1. European integration and theory of the legal system
2. Constitutional pluralism and interjudicial dialogue
3. The interpretation of EU law and of the ECHR
4. Theories of democracy and European Union
With regard to each topic of the course the students are expected to
acquire a good knowledge of the most important theoretical positions at
stake and of their political and legal consequences. The course will help
students to increase their ability to reflect on the developments of
international and European law in a critically and informed way, to take a
stance on the subjects of the course and to argue for their own views. To
that end, the course will include for seminar lectures, active participation
by the students and class presentations.
Non-attending students are required to read Gustavo Gozzi, Diritti e
civiltà. Storia e filosofia del diritto internazionale, Bologna, Il Mulino,
2010. The reading list and the exam procedures for the attending
students will be arranged in the course of the lectures
Lectures; possible organisation of seminars with active students
participation (class presentation and discussion)
Oral exam. Specific procedures for the assessment of the learning
outcomes could be arranged with the attending students