Criminal Law - Special Part
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at offering a comprehensive understanding of the special part of criminal law and its relationship to the general part. The subject is essential both to students who intend to pursue the classical forensic professions or judicial functions, and to other jurists who need to address the penal system, while at the same time fostering the learning of terminology and methodology typical of criminal law.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students who have successfully learned the subject will have obtained the following notions and competences:
a comprehensive understanding of the special part of Italian Criminal Law, through the analysis of the most important offences, selected on the basis of their practical relevance;
the knowledge of the most relevant case-law concerning both selected offences and general concepts cross-cutting different areas of Criminal law;
the ability to interpret provisions related to specific offences and to identify their fundamental relations with the general part of the Criminal Law;
the ability to properly handle the Italian Penal Code;
the abilities to address, discuss and solve both simple and complex practical cases in accordance with Italian Criminal Law;
the ability to understand and to use the appropriate legal terminology.
a comprehensive understanding of the special part of Italian Criminal Law, through the analysis of the most important offences, selected on the basis of their practical relevance;
the knowledge of the most relevant case-law concerning both selected offences and general concepts cross-cutting different areas of Criminal law;
the ability to interpret provisions related to specific offences and to identify their fundamental relations with the general part of the Criminal Law;
the ability to properly handle the Italian Penal Code;
the abilities to address, discuss and solve both simple and complex practical cases in accordance with Italian Criminal Law;
the ability to understand and to use the appropriate legal terminology.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course addresses the special part of Italian criminal law, examined through the study of a number of offences selected, on the basis of their relevance and/or underlying interpretative issues, within the following categories:
i) Crimes against the person
ii) Crimes against property
iii) Crimes against the administration of justice
iv) Organized crime
In addition, only for students who will attend the lectures:
v) Crimes against public safety
In addition, only for students who will not attend the lectures:
(v) Crimes against State's security
Mastering the general part of criminal law, with regard to both constitutional principles (legality, harm and culpability) and to the elements of crime (actus reus, mens rea, justifications, inchoate offences, participation, circumstances), is essential to a full understanding of the subject.
i) Crimes against the person
ii) Crimes against property
iii) Crimes against the administration of justice
iv) Organized crime
In addition, only for students who will attend the lectures:
v) Crimes against public safety
In addition, only for students who will not attend the lectures:
(v) Crimes against State's security
Mastering the general part of criminal law, with regard to both constitutional principles (legality, harm and culpability) and to the elements of crime (actus reus, mens rea, justifications, inchoate offences, participation, circumstances), is essential to a full understanding of the subject.
Prerequisites for admission
According to art. 5 of the Regolamento didattico del Corso di Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico in Giurisprudenza, it is mandatory to successfully pass the exams of Constitutional Law, Institutions of Private Law and Criminal Law (general part) before attending this course.
Teaching methods
Students' participation during lectures will be constantly encouraged through the discussion of issues relating to the interpretation of criminal law provisions and the examination of practical cases. Optional practical exercises will also be organised on MyAriel platform, to be carried out as homework, dealing with the topics covered during lectures.
Teaching Resources
For students who will attend lectures:
The examination can be prepared on the basis of the lecture notes and supplementary materials (judgments, normative texts, contributions of doctrine) which will be indicated by the lecturer.
For students who will not attend lectures:
R. Bartoli, M. Pelissero, S. Seminara, Diritto penale. Lineamenti di parte speciale, II ed., Giappichelli, 2022, limited to: part I (all chapters), part II (all chapters); part IV, chap. I and III; part V, chap. I, II e III (first section). UPDATE: On September 18 a new edition was released. For those who have not yet purchased the 2022 edition, I suggest purchasing the updated one.
Criminal Code:
Consultation the Italian Criminal Code is essential for a full understanding of the subject.
For reviewing the general part, where necessary, the following textbook is recommended:
G. Marinucci, E. Dolcini, G.L. Gatta, Manuale di diritto penale. Parte generale, 13th ed., Giuffrè, 2024 (or a previous edition used to study the general part).
The examination can be prepared on the basis of the lecture notes and supplementary materials (judgments, normative texts, contributions of doctrine) which will be indicated by the lecturer.
For students who will not attend lectures:
R. Bartoli, M. Pelissero, S. Seminara, Diritto penale. Lineamenti di parte speciale, II ed., Giappichelli, 2022, limited to: part I (all chapters), part II (all chapters); part IV, chap. I and III; part V, chap. I, II e III (first section). UPDATE: On September 18 a new edition was released. For those who have not yet purchased the 2022 edition, I suggest purchasing the updated one.
Criminal Code:
Consultation the Italian Criminal Code is essential for a full understanding of the subject.
For reviewing the general part, where necessary, the following textbook is recommended:
G. Marinucci, E. Dolcini, G.L. Gatta, Manuale di diritto penale. Parte generale, 13th ed., Giuffrè, 2024 (or a previous edition used to study the general part).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an oral discussion aimed at ascertaining knowledge of the topics composing the course programme, as well as the acquisition of adequate expository skills and the ability to critically address the notions. The ability to navigate through the provisions of the Italian Criminal Code and to articulate interpretative reasoning will also be assessed.
The optional practical exercises on MyAriel, which are reserved for those attending the classes insofar as they deal with topics covered during lectures, may contribute to the final grade by awarding an additional point.
Grading is expressed in thirtieths.
When registering for the oral examination, it will be possible to express a preference for taking the exam with the teacher in charge of the course.
This course does not include a specific programme for Erasmus students.
The optional practical exercises on MyAriel, which are reserved for those attending the classes insofar as they deal with topics covered during lectures, may contribute to the final grade by awarding an additional point.
Grading is expressed in thirtieths.
When registering for the oral examination, it will be possible to express a preference for taking the exam with the teacher in charge of the course.
This course does not include a specific programme for Erasmus students.
IUS/17 - CRIMINAL LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 63 hours
Professor:
Zirulia Stefano
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Zirulia StefanoEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. (by appointment only)
Department of Law "Cesare Beccaria", Criminal law section (Via Festa del Perdono 3, 2nd floor)