SOCIOLOGIA DEL DIRITTO

The expected learning outcomes concern the acquisition of the main theoretical and methodological knowledge necessary to understand the sociological perspective on the normative dimensions of social relations, the specificity of legal norms, and the relationship between norms, social control, and deviance. Students will acquire interpretative tools for analysing the concept of deviance and the main theoretical paradigms through which deviant behaviours have been defined, represented, and regulated in contemporary societies. Particular attention will be devoted to processes of marginalisation, social vulnerability, and labelling, as well as to the social, cultural, and institutional implications of social control practices.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired:

1. Knowledge and understanding:
   Students will acquire fundamental knowledge concerning the sociological perspective on the normative dimensions of social relations, the specificity of legal norms, and the main theoretical approaches within the sociology of deviance. They will also deepen their understanding of the processes by which norms and deviance are socially constructed, as well as the main theories of social control.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
   Students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to the analysis of concrete social phenomena and critically interpret processes of marginalisation, labelling, and social regulation. They will be able to use conceptual and methodological tools to analyse the relationship between norms, institutions, social vulnerability, and practices of social control.
3. Making judgements:
   Students will develop autonomous critical reflection skills concerning the processes of defining deviance, practices of social control, and the social, ethical, and political implications of legal norms and policies regulating behaviour.
4. Communication skills:
   Students will acquire the ability to use appropriate sociological language to communicate theoretical contents, interpretations, and analyses related to deviance, social control, and normative processes. They will be able to present complex concepts clearly and coherently and to actively participate in classroom discussions.
5. Learning skills:
   Students will develop skills useful for independently deepening themes and issues related to the sociology of deviance, social and legal norms, and processes of social vulnerability and marginality, acquiring methodological and critical tools that support further academic studies and continuous learning in the field of social sciences.

It is highly advisable to have passed the sociology and law courses taught during the first and second years of the degree program.

Attendance is strongly recommended. Participation in classes will enable students to achieve the intended learning outcomes and be actively involved in workshops using interactive teaching methods, as well as in developing independent projects related to specific parts of the syllabus. For the purposes of the midterm examination, students will be considered attending students if they have achieved at least 70% attendance by the end of the course.

The course program will be developed through lectures, guided discussions, and seminar-style in-depth activities, encouraging the active involvement of students in the critical analysis of the topics addressed. The first part of the course will focus on the sociology of law and on the analysis of the normative dimensions of social relations, examining topics such as the social nature of law, law as a social and cultural phenomenon, the subjects of legal norms, and the relationship between law, power, and social control. The course will also analyse the processes of transformation of the modern legal order, the so-called “crisis” of law, changes in normative paradigms, and the impact of globalisation on legal institutions and systems of social regulation.

The second part of the course will focus on the sociology of deviance and crime, addressing the main concepts and definitions of deviance, criminality, and social control. Particular attention will be devoted to processes of normative socialisation, the ways in which societies define and regulate deviant behaviour, and the role of institutions in the production and management of social marginality. The course will also examine sociological research on crime and deviance, the issues related to the construction and interpretation of social data, and the main scientific paradigms through which deviant behaviour has been explained and interpreted. Finally, the course will analyse institutional policies and intervention models, with reference to practices of prevention, security, regulation, and social inclusion in contemporary contexts.

Altopiedi R., De Felice D., Ferraris V. (2022), Understanding the Sociology of Law, Rome, Carocci.

Prina F. (2019), Deviance and Criminality, Rome, Carocci (chapters 1, 3, and 4).

In line with the intended learning outcomes, the course employs assessment methods to verify both the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the ability to critically analyse and apply the concepts addressed during the learning process. Assessment will be carried out through a final oral examination and, for attending students, through supplementary activities such as case study discussions, short individual papers, or in-depth thematic analyses.

Assessment of Knowledge and Understanding

Assessment method: oral and written examinations with questions requiring the precise definition of key concepts (e.g. the difference between law in books and law in action, between social and legal norms, between formal and informal social control, and between moral and legal socialization) as well as knowledge of the main sociological theories of deviance.

Objective: to assess mastery of the theoretical and terminological categories necessary for critically analysing the processes of production, implementation, and application of norms, as well as the sociological representations and explanations of deviance.

Assessment of Applying Knowledge and Understanding

Assessment method: guided discussion and analysis of empirical cases (e.g. processes of selective criminalisation, effectiveness of prevention and repression policies, the role of total institutions such as prisons and mental hospitals) using the interpretative lenses of the main theoretical paradigms (functionalist, conflictual, interactionist, labelling theory).

Objective: to verify the ability to translate acquired concepts into tools for interpreting reality, using theoretical models as analytical frameworks through which to observe phenomena of deviance, criminality, and normative implementation.

Assessment of Making Judgements

Assessment method: discussions aimed at developing critical reflections on controversial issues (e.g. the relationship between law and inequalities, the gap between formal norms and implementation practices, the legitimacy of sanctions and control institutions). Students will be encouraged to develop personal arguments supported by theoretical references.

Objective: to evaluate the ability to elaborate autonomous positions on legal and social dilemmas, recognising the political dimension of normative processes and the ethical implications of practices defining deviance and crime.

Assessment of Communication Skills

Assessment method: oral presentations of short reports on texts and case studies, as well as written assignments using technical language (norms, sanctions, institutions, primary/secondary deviance, effectiveness/effectivity). Particular attention will be devoted to the ability to distinguish between common-sense explanations and scientific interpretations.

Objective: to assess the ability to communicate the contents of the discipline clearly, rigorously, and appropriately, organising oral and written discourse coherently and making complex concepts understandable to different audiences.

Assessment of Learning Skills

Assessment method: students will be required to compare different theories (e.g. positivist vs interactionist theories, consensus vs conflict approaches) and to integrate empirical research materials (victimisation surveys, official statistics, and the “dark figure” of crime).

Objective: to measure the ability to critically re-elaborate complex contents, connect different theoretical and methodological perspectives, and develop autonomous learning skills, which are essential for interpreting legal and social phenomena in administrative and organisational contexts.