Understanding the philosophical nature of legal issues. Learning the basic categories of legal science and the elements of the most influential theories.

Knowledge and comprehension: The student, through participation in lectures, workshops, and case studies, will know the main categories of legal science and the tools of legal reasoning. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to recognize and adequately address the philosophical and methodological problems of contemporary legal systems, especially related to the development of technological evolution and the evolution of democratic institutions. The student will also be able to recognize the logical structure of a legal reasoning. At the end of the course there will be an oral exam aimed at verifying the acquisition of these skills. Autonomy of judgment: The student, through the methodological amd argumentational tools acquired in class, will develop autonomy of evaluation and judgment on the topics of the course, and will be able to correctly set the theoretical reflections prompted by the evolution of legal theory. The development of critical thinking will be encouraged. Communication skills: The student will have to learn the vocabulary of jurisprudence, and will have to learn to argue in a rhetorically effective way. For this purpose, oral exercises will be prepared, in which students will be asked to intervene by arguing for or against a certain position being discussed in class. Learning skills: The student will have to be able to think critically about the legal problems of contemporary society, developing the logical and rhetorical skills that will allow him to face, both in the continuation of his studies and while performing career, the new legal issues that will arise.

Jurisprudence. Legal theories. Constitutional theories. Legal interpretative theories.

1. Wacks, R. (2020). Understanding Jurisprudence: An Introduction to Legal Theory (Sixth ed.). Oxford University Press. From p. 1 to p. 189, from p. 203 to p. 227, from p. 235 to p. 238, from p. 251 to p. 289, from p. 293 to p. 305, from p. 321 to p. 336 and from p. 341 to p. 356. 2. Rawls, J. (1996). Political Liberalism. Columbia University Press. From p. xxxv to p. 66 and from p. 133 to p. 254. 3. Schupmann, B. A. (2017). Carl Schmitt’s State and Constitutional Theory A Critical Analysis. Oxford University Press. From p. 1 to p. 30 and from p. 135 to p. 152 or from p. 153 to 171 (optionally alternative). _________ Highly recommended: 4. Posner, R.A. (1996). The Problems of Jurisprudence. Harvard University Press. Limited to: Part I, ch. 4 and Part III.

Induction (from the practical case to the philosophical issue) and active participation of the students to the academic debate.

The exam consists of a final oral interview, in which the student must demonstrate knowledge of the main categories of legal theory and the ability to used the tools of both legal and philosophical reasoning. There could also be forms of intermediate monitoring and verification of the learning ability of the participants in the course. However the attribution of the mark will only take place at the outcome of the final exam that will take place at the end of the course.

Proficiency in the English legal and philosophical language. Evident interest for the subject. Intellectual appreciation of the Mentor.