INTRODUCTION TO LAW

Starting from the notion and function of law, the course will delve into the differences between civil law and common law, with a focus on the Italian legal system, on different sources of law and their hierarchy. Special attention will be given to the role of the European Union. The last module will be centered on some of the fundamental institutes of private law.
At the end of the course, attending students will have the chance to be involved in a team work aimed at solving a practical case, to apply to concrete cases the legal concepts covered during the lectures.

- Understand the characteristics of a legal norm. Know the differences between legal norms and social norms;
- Understand the fundamental partitions between legal systems (civil law and common law) and within legal systems (public law and private law)
- Identify the differences between civil law and common law, the role of case law in both legal systems and the implications on the sources of law;
- Understand the structure and the sources of European law and of Italian law;
- Understand how to solve antinomies;
- Understand and know the fundamental institutes of private law;
- Learn a legal glossary;
- Ability to interpret a legal text and apply it to specific cases.

There are no pre-requirements.

- Introduction to the concept of law;
- law and justice;
- interpretation of law
- civil law and common law;
- the role of the European Union;
- sources of law and their hierarchy;
- fundamental institutes of private law.

P. Sirena, Introduction to Private Law, Il Mulino, 2021 (3rd ed.), limited to chapters: I, IV (§§3.1.1 and 3.1.2 excluded), V, VI, VII (only §§ 1., 3., 3.1., 3.2.), VIII (only §§ 1., 2.), X and XI.
The book contains quotations of philosophers and jurists and their biographies; those parts will be not part of the final exam. Please consider that the content of the reference book only covers part of the program. During the lectures, additional topics shall be tackled.
Slides used during the lessons and possible additional materials will be available online on the Moodle platform.

Final written exam.
Students will have to answer three open-ended questions.
The following criteria will be taken into account in formulating the grade:
- knowledge and understanding of the topics on which the exam is focused;
- ability to analytically investigate the topics on which the exam is concerned;
- linearity and logicality of the written exposition.
In the evaluation of the exam, active participation during the lectures will be taken into account.

The lectures will be taught in class, with the projection of slides.
Additional materials will be available on Moodle.
Active participation of students in lectures and seminars is encouraged.

The materials of the course and every additional information will be available on the e-learning platform (Moodle). The students can log in with their personal credentials at moodle.unive.it
Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments.
Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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