THEORY AND CRITIQUE OF LAW

Theory and Critique of Law is a course that, in line with the curriculum of the Master’s Degree in Philosophy, examines law as a social technique and aims to develop a critical inquiry into it. This year the course focuses mainly on the relationship between law and the contemporary ecological discourse.

he course aims to provide a set of analytical tools for understanding the main issues of contemporary ecological discourse and the social functioning of law. The objective is to situate these issues within a theoretical and historical perspective, showing the transformations in the relationships between law and the key concepts of contemporary ecology, and offering a critical understanding of the main categories of contemporary ecological discourse.
The course will be structured around several axes: the relationship between law and nature, law and the environment, law and biodiversity, law and sustainability, law and climate, and law and ecocide.

No specific prerequisites are required.

The course will examine the relationship between law and nature from its origins; address the question of the environment and how it emerges within legal thought; explore the emergence of the concept of biodiversity and its use as a conceptual resource; and analyse the role of sustainability, as well as the shift from sustainable development to ecological sustainability. It will also consider the proposal to establish the crime of ecocide, the significance of climate as both a site of social struggle and a new legal interest deserving protection—particularly through the study of climate litigation—and, finally, the most advanced proposal of so-called trans-subjective rights.

Yan Thomas, Jacques Chiffoleau, "L'istituzione della natura", a cura e con un saggio di Michele Spanò, Quodlibet, Macerata, 2020.
Yan Thomas, "Il valore delle cose", seguito da L'artificio delle istituzioni, a cura di Michele Spanò e con un saggio di Giorgio Agamben, Quodlibet, Macerata, 2022.
Estratti da "Oltre il pubblico e il privato. Per un diritto dei beni comuni", Introduzione e cura di Maria Rosaria Marella Postfazione di Stefano Rodotà, Ombre Corte, Verona, 2012.
Estratti da Stefano Nespor, La scoperta dell'ambiente. Una rivoluzione culturale, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2020.
Xenia Chiaramonte, "Nascita della biodiversità", in L'Altro Diritto. Centro di documentazione su carcere, devianza e marginalità., vol. 7, pp.35-59: https://www.pacinieditore.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/vol7-full.pdf
Xenia Chiaramonte, "Uccidere la casa? Sulle problematiche implicazioni dell’ecocidio" in Jura Gentium. Rivista di filosofia del diritto internazionale e della politica globale, vol. 1, pp. 173-197: https://www.juragentium.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/JG_2023_1_CHIARAMONTE.pdf
Pasquale Femia, "Responsabilità civile e climate change litigation" in Enciclopedia del diritto: https://storage.e.jimdo.com/file/63b30f80-5b74-40a4-a09e-bf5a153e3465/Femia%20Resp.tà%20civile.pdf

The exam will be conducted orally. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate that they have understood the texts discussed in class and can present them clearly and independently, using appropriate terminology and being able to identify and critically discuss the main points, showing that they have developed the ability to formulate an individual argument on the topic.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The grading scale is in thirtieths:

Sufficient: 18-22/30
Good: 23-26/30
Very Good: 28-29
Excellent: 30/30 and 30 with honors

The course will mainly be held through lectures, but active participation from students is essential. Regular attendance is highly recommended for full engagement and more effective learning.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development