Legal Studies

This course examines human rights, their connection to the concept of citizenship, how and when they originated, and who their bearers are.

This course explores the main international and European legal mechanisms in place to protect from different forms of discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, disability, or race. It focuses on the principles of equality and non-discrimination,  and introduces the subject through the evolution of women’s rights and its international recognition. Activities include discussion of case studies and in-class debates.

Drawing from law, sociology of law, criminology, political science, and migration studies more generally, this multidisciplinary course provides a wholesome understanding of the many debates and dilemmas surrounding international migration and its management today. The course addresses a broad range of topics and themes, including the legal regulation and institutional management of migration; ordering through labels, terms, and categories; sovereignty, control, and externalization; citizenship and statelessness; securitization and criminalization of migration; smuggling, trafficking, and instrumentalization debates; as well as gendered, racial, and other aspects of migration and its management. It covers a combination of both canonical and newer academic texts in this area and draws additional insights from policy documents, reports, fiction literature, and films.

Sustainable development is the red thread throughout this course. The course builds on the principle of sustainable development and analyzes how it is reflected in main international treaties on the protection of the environment. Central questions on legal methodology, legal sources, and environmental principles are addressed. The course introduces more specific areas in international environmental law, such as those addressing the conservation of biological diversity, protection of the marine environment, reduction of plastic pollution, and addressing climate change. In addition, overarching topics include the relationship between environmental protection and human rights, and international trade and investment law.

The course introduces the fundamental system and main principles, particularly the legal systems and the practice related to inbound investment and outbound investment of China after the Reform and Opening Up in 1978, as well as the interactions among foreign investment laws, other domestic laws, and international investment agreements. Topics: history and source of underlying international investment law, the primary substantive principles and standards which serve to protect investors and investments under international investment agreements, such as most-favored-nation treatment, national treatment, fair and equitable treatment, expropriation and nationalization, investment insurance and dispute settlement as well as wider issues relating to the criticisms of the investment treaty arbitration system. 

This course examines the interplay of religion, law and politics in contemporary India, Sri Lanka, America, New Zealand, Canada and elsewhere. Themes include secularism, religious freedom, pluralism and others.

This course is designed to understand the rationale and the most important rules in patent law, trademark law and copyright law, mostly focusing on US and EU law. It focuses on understanding how to identify and analyze statutory law and most relevant case law pertaining to most pressing issues in patent, trademark and copyright law.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. The course provides in-depth and critical knowledge of Air and Space Law and the International Treaties which govern the sectors. In order to analyze the matter also under a practical perspective, an important part of the course is devoted to the analysis of the relevant case-law in the sector. The examination of case law will include not only specific Air and Space Law law issues, but also competition matters such as state aid and abuse of dominant position with reference to aviation and space sectors. Topics include: Air Navigation Authorities and International bodies; Air Navigation Services in the European and International Context. The 1944 Chicago Convention; Access to the European Air Transport market and the liberalization of the latter. Code sharing agreements and frequent flyer programs.; The contract of carriage by air of passengers (Montreal Convention 1999; EC Regulations 2027/97 and 2002/889); General principles of Space Law; The legal status of spacecraft including their registration (registration of space objects and jurisdiction and space legislation at EU level) and liability for damage caused by space activities; Representation of the European Space Programmes and major responsibilities of the main European bodies (EU, ESA, EUSPA); Italian Space Governance and decision-making process for space policy and legal instruments in Italy.

This course discusses Media Law, focusing on defamation; hate speech law; freedom of the press, and State secrets, etc. 

This course offers an exploration of diverse family models, emphasizing equality, inclusivity, and the roles of gender in parenting. It delves in the complexities of surrogacy, reproductive technologies and the legal frameworks surrounding parenthood, focusing on international issues and comparative perspectives, through a blend of lectures, interactive discussions, case studies and research projects.