Learning objectives
The course is designed to give students the fundamental notions of the general part of Criminal Law, with particular regards to the ones that are relevant for social workers. Through the study of the constitutional principles which govern criminal law, through the analysis of the institutes and provisions of the general part of criminal law and through the study of the leading cases, the course aims to allow the student to learn the method which is necessary in order to work autonomously and competently in the fields of social work in which criminal law is relevant. At the end of the course, students are expected to: 1) be autonomous in identifying the principles and rules of criminal law (knowledge and comprehension skills); 2) recognize and analyse the application of provisions and rules in the case law (ability to apply knowledge and comprehension); 3) analyze with method the case law concerning criminal law (autonomy in judgment); 4) develop a correct legal language (communicative skills); 5) make connections between different legal issues in the field of criminal law and be autonomous in critical reasoning (learning skills).
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course will cover the fundamental issues concerning the general part of criminal law: constitutional principles; rules concerning the application of statutes; elements of the offence; attempt and conspiracy; punishment and its forms. Particular attention will be given to the purpose of rehabilitation of prisoners and to the current debate on prison conditions, analyzing the evolution of the case-law of the Constitutional Court and considering the role of social work in the penitentiary. During the course, references to some specific offences will be made to clarify some complex issues of the general part of criminal law.
Full programme
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Bibliography
A. Cadoppi - P. Veneziani, Elementi di diritto penale. Parte generale, Wolters Kluwer Italia, Milano, VIII ed., 2021 (pages 67-129; 177-207; 231-260; 273-312; 335-375; 389-393; 409-427; 465-483; 537-556; 565-570; 584-601; 612-626; 291 pages overall)
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A. Cadoppi - P. Veneziani, Elementi di diritto penale. Parte speciale, Volume II, I reati contro la persona, Tomo I, II ed., 2017 (pages 9-30; 60-73 222-241; 56 pages overall)
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E. Dolcini, G.L. Gatta, Codice penale commentato, Tomo III; 5a ed., Ipsoa, 2021 (è da studiare la seguente parte: pagine 739-748; 9 pages overall).
Teaching methods
Teaching will be provided through in-person lectures and the video recordings of the lectures will be made available online on the Elly platform. At the beginning of the course, in order to fill any gaps in the students' prior knowledge, a number of introductory lectures will be provided specifically devoted to a review of the notions required to understand the fundamental institutions of criminal law. During the lectures, students will be directly involved in the discussion on some of the most important decisions of the recent years. The platform Elly will be used for the publication of research materials and decisions and the lecturer will inform the students about the publication of these materials. The argumentative skills of the students will be developed also through discussions and debates. There will be exercises aimed at: a) case study analysis on the issues of greatest applicative relevance; b) discussion with experts and social service operators carrying out relevant activities in the criminal field.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final summative assessment, with a mark out of thirty, consists of an oral exam that includes at least three questions.
Other information
The students may contact the professor by email or during the office hours.
