Sociology of Law and Legal Information Technology

A.Y. 2025/2026
9
Max ECTS
63
Overall hours
SSD
IUS/20
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
With regard to Sociology of Law: The aim of this course is to provide students with knoweldge about the theoretical and empirical profiles of the Sociology of Law, a discipline that studies the relationships between law and society. The course aims to train students in light of a non dogmatic/non "formalistic" conception of law, through the study of sociological theories and social sciences research methods. It aims to encourage students to wonder about conflicts and power relations as well as about sociopolitical and socioeconomic reasons; this in turn through the analysis and comprehension of the context in which for example a law or a judgement are adopted. Frontal lessons and class discussion will both foster the understanding and critical elaboration of the contents of the course.

With regard to Legal Informatics: The aim of this course is to provide students with technical and legal knowledge about the use of technologies by the jurist. The course aims to provide the jurist with a correct approach to technologies, with great attention to the practical use of the computer and the network connection for professional purposes, in Court, in the typical activities of a law firm or notary and for the business legal expert. Attention will also be devoted to IT-legal issues related to sociological issues. Practical lessons, shaped by students' active participation, will contribute to achieve the aim of the course.
Expected learning outcomes
With regard to Sociology of Law: At the end of the course students are expected to have developed, within the Sociology of Law, their capacity to learn through the study of theoretical contributions and the analysis of empirical researches, thus being able to critically elaborate them and questioning legal phenomena from a non dogmatic "formalistic" perspective; their capacity to apply theoretical knowledge to specific sectors and legal aspects as well as their capacity of analysis and synthesis. Students are also expected to have developed their ability to formulate autonomous judgments, in particular having learned how to defend a thesis and develop supporting arguments. Moreover, they are expected to have acquired an adequate command of language and a level of knowledge of Sociology of Law and its relationships with the other social sciences that allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed and autonomous.

With regard to Legal Informatics: At the end of the course students are expected to have developed, within the Legal Informatics, their capacity to critically address themes and resolve legal issues through the elaboration of the acquired notions as well the ability to link different topics in order to elaborate useful proposals for the solution of concrete cases. Students are also expected to have acquired a reasoning method suitable for dealing with IT-legal topics that are more specific and complex than institutional notions. Moreover, they are expected to have strengthened their technical vocabulary.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course Syllabus - Sociology of Law
The course will cover the concept of the legal system and its relationship with other social systems, the functions of law, the effectiveness and impact of regulations, social research methods, bureaucratic organizations, micro and macro social dynamics, the motivations behind legally oriented human behavior, deviance, litigiousness, and dispute resolution.
These topics will be examined in light of the most relevant currents of contemporary sociological thought and any new developments in legislation or case law.

Course Syllabus - Legal Informatics
The Course aims to introduce students to a jurist's approach to the proper use of technologies in order to significantly improve their computer-legal skills and to enable independent evaluative procedures useful in the future professional context.
The program will be divided into ten lectures of two hours each, during which the professor will outline issues pertaining to (i) the sensor society and control and surveillance in the technological age; (ii) cyber rights; (iii) Edward Snowden and cyber threats; (iv) legal tech; (v) cybersecurity; (vi) digital policy; (vii) open source intelligence; (viii) data persistence and removal; (ix) digital minors and family tech; and (x) technological crime.
Teaching methods
The course will be held in two separate modules (Sociology of Law and Legal Informatics).

Sociology of Law
The course includes lectures and participatory lessons. Attendance is strongly recommended.

Legal Informatics
Information on teaching will be uploaded to the course's ARIEL website, which should be consulted regularly. The course consists of 20 hours of classroom lessons held by the professor.
Teaching Resources
Sociology of Law:
● Vincenzo Ferrari, Diritto e Società, Laterza.
● Luigi Cominelli, La risoluzione delle dispute, FrancoAngeli.
● Le slides delle lezioni caricate sul sito Ariel del corso

Legal informatics:
Suggested textbook:
G. Ziccardi, Diritti digitali - Informatica Giuridica per le nuove professioni, Raffello Cortina, 2022.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Sociology of Law (6 credits):
The final assessment for the Sociology of Law module will take into account classroom participation, the results of a written test with standardized and open-ended questions, and a short final interview. The assessment criteria will take into account the accuracy of the content, the clarity of the argument, the appropriateness of the language, and the ability to analyze and synthesize.

Legal Informatics (in common with Philosophy of Law and Legal informatics, 3 credits)
The final exam will be oral and will take place during the exam session. It will consist of an interrogation consisting of at least three questions on three different parts of the program. For attending students, there will be a final exam based on a multiple-choice test. Professor Giovanni Ziccardi will provide information on how the exam will be conducted during class. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact him directly by email.

There are no specific programs for Erasmus students or students participating in other student mobility programs for either Sociology of Law or Legal Informatics.
Modules or teaching units
Legal information technology
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 3
Lessons: 21 hours
Professor: Ziccardi Giovanni

Sociology of law
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor: Cominelli Luigi

Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours: Tuesday 10,30 am-12,30 pm (online on MS Teams, Team code 7kv5eto)
Room 2011 - Dept. Cesare Beccaria - Sect. Philosophy and Sociology of Law
Reception:
thursday 10:30 - 11:30 (send an email to [email protected])
Dipartimento "Cesare Beccaria"