OVERVIEW

Gender and Sport aims to explore — through the lens of public law — the main issues concerning sports, as well as sports management and organization, from a gender perspective (equality between women and men, violence, inclusion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the teaching, participants will be able to understand the impact of gender and equality between women and men in the various spheres of life and work, taking sport as the main perspective of observation; they will be able to recognize and evaluate the consequences (including indirect ones) on gender equality of legislative and jurisprudential interventions at national, European Union and international level in the field of sport; they will be able to compare the Italian situation with that of other States with regard to equality between men and women in sport; they will be able to recognize, in different sport contexts, the existence of gender discrimination, direct and indirect, and become aware of the instruments to remedy them; they will get the necessary knowledge to build relationships of equality and non-discrimination in sport.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Gender and sport is addressed to ALL students who want to know how and at what extent power's asymmetries between women and men reduce the quality of everyone's life, together with democracy and the value (economical, cultural, scientific, relational, etc...) of Italy.

Intended Learning Outcomes (Dublin Descriptors)

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the constitutional and supranational principles governing equality and non-discrimination, the main sources of Italian, international, and European Union law relevant to gender issues, the concepts of direct and indirect discrimination, and the legal instruments designed to promote substantive equality, with particular reference to the field of sport.

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and interpret the relevant legal sources, recognize discriminatory situations, analyse the impact of gender inequalities and discrimination against persons with disabilities in the sporting context, and assess the role of positive actions and gender-related corrective measures in promoting equality.

Making judgements

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse legal and social issues related to equality and non-discrimination, evaluate the effectiveness of the mechanisms for the protection of fundamental rights, and interpret current events in the light of constitutional and anti-discrimination principles.

Communication skills

By the end of the course, students will be able to use legal terminology relating to gender issues, equality, and non-discrimination appropriately and to discuss clearly and persuasively the main legal concepts and issues addressed during the course.

Learning skills

By the end of the course, students will be able to independently identify and use legal, judicial, and documentary sources concerning equality and non-discrimination and to critically explore developments in legislation and case law, with particular reference to the field of sport.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of Public law.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is made of 36 class hours "in presence".  

Attendance in the classroom is not mandatory BUT strongly recommended. 

The professor will upload on Aulaweb the materials needed for lessons and for individual study (summaries, laws, documents, judgments). 

During classes experts (professors, sport professionals, etc ....) may be invited to address specific topics and / or seminars and conferences will be suggested.

Students are recommended to enroll in Aulaweb to be informed about the teaching all along it (and even after).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching includes the study of the following topics:

• Gender equality, non-discrimination and equal opportunities n sport; 
• The sources of law that protect equality between women and men at national, international and EU level; 
• Gender, sport and politics; 
• Gender and work; 
• The rights/duties of care from a gender perspective; 
• Gender-based violence in sport;  
• Gender appropriate and inclusive language.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The professor will communicate and upload on Aulaweb the texts on which to prepare the exam at the beginning of class. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ARIANNA PITINO (President)

SIMONE FREGA

PATRIZIA VIPIANA (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will be held in the first semester of academic year 2026/27.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

To take the exam, registration through the appropriate online procedure is mandatory.
Students who are not registered will not be admitted to the exam.

The exam is written and structured as follows:

• 6 multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer and two incorrect options. Each correct answer is worth 3 points, for a maximum of 18/30.

• 1 open-ended question (essay-style), worth up to 12/30.

A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the exam. If this score is not achieved, the exam will be considered failed and must be retaken.

The Examination Board is appointed by the Department Council and, unless otherwise prevented, is chaired by the course instructor.

At the request of students attending the course, mid-term examinations may be scheduled.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For the purposes of the examination, through class attendance and the study of the materials provided, students will be expected to demonstrate:

• knowledge of the principles and legal sources governing equality and non-discrimination, as well as of the main legal concepts and instruments examined during the course, with particular reference to gender issues and the field of sport (knowledge and understanding);
• the ability to identify and interpret the relevant sources of law and to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis of cases and issues concerning gender equality, non-discrimination, and the protection of fundamental rights (applying knowledge and understanding);
• the ability to develop critical assessments of the issues addressed during the course, also in light of legislative and case-law developments (making judgements);
• the ability to present topics in a clear, orderly, and coherent manner, using both legal terminology and gender-inclusive language appropriately (communication skills).

Particular consideration will be given to:

• the coherence, completeness, and accuracy of the answers;
• the ability to relate the knowledge acquired to practical cases and current issues;
• references to the most relevant legal sources and judicial decisions;
• the ability to develop well-reasoned and adequately supported critical arguments on issues of equality, non-discrimination, and inclusion in sport.

The assessment will also take into account the student's ability to use independently the conceptual and legal tools acquired during the course in order to interpret social and legal phenomena from a constitutional and anti-discrimination perspective.

FURTHER INFORMATION

"To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.
Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it).
Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected".