OVERVIEW

'Theories of Justice' is an optional 6-credit course, which is intended for students interested in deepening, from a historical and interdisciplinary perspective, the complex debate on social justice, looking at the main theoretical models but also at specific issues, “practical conflicts”, concerning the moral evaluation of legal norms and policies.

The aim of the course is to introduce the main conceptions of justice at the centre of contemporary debate and the critical theories they have inspired. The aim is to provide a general theoretical framework within which to then deal with more specific issues concerning the moral evaluation of legal norms and public choices. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide knowledge about some fundamental concepts of political philosophy and the main contemporary theories of distributive justice, with specific reference to those concerning legal systems and public institutions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to introduce the main conceptions of justice at the centre of contemporary debate and the critical theories they have inspired. Within this framework, the objective is to provide students with the main theoretical models and tools necessary to critically engage with more specific and pressing issues of social justice today.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

- Frontal and remote synchronous lessons;

- Exercises/small groups activities;

- Classroom discussions on the topics dealt with, starting from the analysis of case studies.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the Department's disability liaison officer at the beginning of the course to agree on any teaching methods that, in accordance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning styles.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course covers the following topics:

 1. Concept and conceptions of justice;

2. Relationship between law and justice;

3. Practical conflicts and the moral evaluation of legal norms;

4. Contractualism, utilitarianism, libertarianism;

5. Theories of justice in criminal law: historical perspectives and hints at the contemporary debate;

6. Rights and protection of minorities;

7. Feminist perspectives between equality and difference;

8. Communitarianism and criticism of liberal theories;

9. The contemporary debate on cultural rights and "cultural offences".

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Textbooks and reading materials for attending students : 

1. Notes taken in class and additional materials that will be indicated in class and made available on AulaWeb. 

2. D. Canale, Conflitti pratici. Quando il diritto diventa immorale, Editori Laterza, 2017, pp. 236 (only the chapters that will be indicated in class).

Textbooks for non-attending students: 

1. D. Canale, Conflitti pratici. Quando il diritto diventa immorale, Editori Laterza, 2017, pp. 236.

2. A. Cavaliere, Una giustizia a due dimensioni. Redistribuzione e riconoscimento nell'opera di Nancy Fraser, G. Giappichelli Editore, 2023.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will be held in the second semester of the academic year 2025-2026. More precise information will be provided on Aulaweb, to which students are invited to register regardless of attendance.

Class schedule

THEORIES OF JUSTICE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination is oral. At the end of the course, a written test may be agreed upon with the attending students in lieu of the oral examination.

Attending students, whose degree of learning and interest will also be assessed during the course of the lectures, are required to understand and critically review the topics discussed in class.  Non-attending students are required to understand and rework the issues addressed in the texts, and to be able to explain them in their own language.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exercises, the small group activities, the classroom thematic discussions and finally the oral interview will aim at evaluating the learning and the reworking of the contents from the candidates, as well as their critical reasoning skills and their public speaking ability.

Students having a valid certification of disability or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) may request the use of compensatory measures during the exams (e.g.
additional time and/or concept maps), following the guidelines (p. 5) published here [1]. In any case, for further information, please contact the Department’s disability liaison: Isa.Fanlo@unige.it

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.