Sociology of Law and Legal Information Technology

With regard to Sociology of Law: The aim of this course is to provide students with knoweldge about the theoretical and empirical profiles of the Sociology of Law, a discipline that studies the relationships between law and society. The course aims to train students in light of a non dogmatic/non "formalistic" conception of law, through the study of sociological theories and social sciences research methods. It aims to encourage students to wonder about conflicts and power relations as well as about sociopolitical and socioeconomic reasons; this in turn through the analysis and comprehension of the context in which for example a law or a judgement are adopted. Frontal lessons and class discussion will both foster the understanding and critical elaboration of the contents of the course.

With regard to Legal Informatics: The aim of this course is to provide students with technical and legal knowledge about the use of technologies by the jurist. The course aims to provide the jurist with a correct approach to technologies, with great attention to the practical use of the computer and the network connection for professional purposes, in Court, in the typical activities of a law firm or notary and for the business legal expert. Attention will also be devoted to IT-legal issues related to sociological issues. Practical lessons, shaped by students' active participation, will contribute to achieve the aim of the course.

With regard to Sociology of Law: At the end of the course students are expected to have developed, within the Sociology of Law, their capacity to learn through the study of theoretical contributions and the analysis of empirical researches, thus being able to critically elaborate them and questioning legal phenomena from a non dogmatic "formalistic" perspective; their capacity to apply theoretical knowledge to specific sectors and legal aspects as well as their capacity of analysis and synthesis. Students are also expected to have developed their ability to formulate autonomous judgments, in particular having learned how to defend a thesis and develop supporting arguments. Moreover, they are expected to have acquired an adequate command of language and a level of knowledge of Sociology of Law and its relationships with the other social sciences that allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed and autonomous.

With regard to Legal Informatics: At the end of the course students are expected to have developed, within the Legal Informatics, their capacity to critically address themes and resolve legal issues through the elaboration of the acquired notions as well the ability to link different topics in order to elaborate useful proposals for the solution of concrete cases. Students are also expected to have acquired a reasoning method suitable for dealing with IT-legal topics that are more specific and complex than institutional notions. Moreover, they are expected to have strengthened their technical vocabulary.