OVERVIEW

“Theories of Justice” is an optional 6-credit course intended for students interested in exploring, from a historical and interdisciplinary perspective, the complex debate on social justice. The course examines the main theoretical models as well as specific issues and “practical conflicts” concerning the moral evaluation of legal norms and public policies.

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 course provides an introduction to the main conceptions of justice at the center of contemporary debate and to the critical theories they have inspired. Its aim is to offer a general theoretical framework within which to address more specific issues concerning the moral evaluation of legal norms and public policy choices. Class discussions will be encouraged throughout the course, also with the aim of fostering the development of students’ argumentative skills.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

- Face-to-face lectures, with synchronous online teaching only in exceptional cases;

- Workshops and small-group activities;

- Discussions of the topics covered, based on the analysis of concrete cases.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs and having complied with Unige procedures (described here) who need compensatory measures to prepare the exams or during the exams are invited to contact the teacher 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. For requesting Unige services for students with disabilities and other information, please visit https://giurisprudenza.unige.it/serv_disabili. For further information, please visit https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa and contact the Department's disability liaison officer (isa.fanlo@unige.it).

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

Exam Board

LAURA SCUDIERI (President)

MATTIA VOLPI

ISABEL FANLO CORTES (President Substitute)

GIULIA ARENA (Substitute)

FIAMMETTA MARIA CAMPANA (Substitute)

FRANCESCA CERESA GASTALDO (Substitute)

NATHALIE PARIS (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will be held during the second semester of the 2026-2027 academic year. Further information will be provided on AulaWeb, which students are encouraged to register for regardless of attendance.

Class schedule

THEORIES OF JUSTICE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of an oral exam aimed at assessing candidates’ understanding and critical re-elaboration of the course contents, as well as their presentation, argumentative, and analytical skills in connecting the various topics covered.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Attending students, whose level of learning and engagement will also be assessed throughout the course by means of small-group activities and thematic discussions, are expected to understand and critically re-elaborate the topics addressed in class and to present them orally with appropriate command of language.

Non-attending students are expected to understand and critically re-elaborate the issues discussed in the assigned readings and to present them orally with appropriate command of language.

Students having a valid certification of disability or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) and having complied with Unige procedures (described here) may request the use of compensatory measures during the exams (e.g. additional time and/or concept maps). In any case, for further information, please contact the Department’s disability liaison: Isa.Fanlo@unige.it

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact the teacher for any further information not provided in the course syllabus.