Erasmus +
The Department of Law offers to Incoming students
- Introductory courses
- Ordinary courses
- Legal Language Courses
- Italian Language Courses
The first semester begins on 28th September 2020; the second semester begins on 22nd February 2021.
Introductory courses and Italian Language Courses are pre-semester courses: their beginning is planned, for the first semester, on 14th September 2020 and, for the second semester, on 1st February 2021.
All the courses listed below are intended to be delivered in English unless otherwise specified.
A complete list of the courses included in the educational offer of the Department is available at the bottom of the page.
New: course schedule, second semester
The course gives students an insight into the law of the European Union. The European Union is an international organisation (sui generis) with its own legal order, which is separate from International Law and forms an integral part of the legal systems of the Member States. To fully understand its specific characteristics, it is necessary to look first briefly at the basic features of Public International Law; e.g. subjects, sources and the relationship between international law and national law.
The course is divided into two parts. The constitutional and institutional part address the following topics: (i) the creation and development of the EU; (ii) its institutional structure and functioning; (iii) competences; (iv) decision- making; (v) sources of EU law; (vi) direct effect and supremacy; (vii) the judicial system and enforcement of EU law.
The substantive part of the course analyses in particular the internal market and harmonisation, the four fundamental freedoms and the area of freedom, security and justice. The analysis of the relevant case law of the European Court of Justice is an intrinsic part of the course. The course aims to meet the needs of incoming exchange students that would like to follow courses in the fields of International and European law but lack the relevant knowledge in those areas.
The course's provisional schedule is as follows. Please note that some amendments may well take place. They will be communicated by the Professor duly in advanced, during classes and on Google Classroom.
Monday 1 february: h. 10.00 - 13.00
Tuesday 2 february: h. 10.00 - 13.00
Wednesday 3 february: h. 10.00 - 13.00
Thursday 4 february: h. 10.00 - 13.00
Friday 5 february: h. 10.00 - 13.00
The first part of the course will provide an introduction to Public International Law, focusing on: (i) the structure and general features of the international legal order; (ii) international legal personality: subjects and “actors” in the international legal order; (iii) the sources of International Law; (iv) the relationship between International Law and Domestic Law; (v) the responsibility for internationally wrongful acts; (vi) the settlement of international disputes. The second part of the course will deal with the law of the European Union, focusing on: (i) the history of the EU; (ii) the institutional framework; (iii) sources of EU Law; (iv) the competences of the EU; (v) EU Law and Domestic Law; (vi) the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The course is in Spanish language. Please note that, although not included in the educational offer of the Department, the course will allow the acquisition of 6 ECTS.
The course's schedule is as follows.
From 8 to 26 March 2021
Monday, h. 9.00 - 11.00;
Tuesday, h 9.00 - 11.00 (on March 23 h. 9-12)
Thursday, h 11.00 - 13.00;
Friday, h 9.00 - 11.00.
Streaming Se@ - https://sea-el.unife.it/el-dip
The course aims to provide students with detailed knowledge of the legal measures adopted in this field of law by the European institutions. As an introduction, attention shall focus on the general characteristics of business organisations (e.g. partnerships, public companies and private companies) and the main differences between these organisations in Europe.
The following issues will then be examined: (i) the case-law of the Court of Justice on the right of establishment for companies and legal entities; (ii) the EU’s harmonisation programme, with a discussion of the relevant directives (on disclosure, capital, mergers, cross-border mergers, annual accounts etc.); and (iii) the creation of EU business organisations including the European Company and the European Cooperative Society. The course will also place a specific emphasis on current issues such as corporate mobility for national companies and the development of groups of companies.
The first part of the course will address the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on national criminal laws, with a focus on the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (art. 3 ECHR) and on the principle of legality (art. 7 ECHR). The second part of the course will address the development of a European criminal policy and the interplays between EU law and national criminal law, with a focus on: (i) the lack of competence in criminal matters of European institutions under the founding Treaties; (ii) the harmonization of sanctions in the European legal system; (iii) European administrative sanctions; (iv) the EU third pillar under the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam; (iv) the Area of Freedom Security and Justice under the Treaty of Lisbon; (v) the European Arrest Warrant; (iv) the role of fundamental rights in EU criminal law.
TThe course aims to provide knowledge of labour law issues in the European integration process. In the first part of the course, the social rules of the EU Treaties and the EU social policies are presented. The origin and the evolution of the European social dialogue and European and transnational collective bargaining are as clearly illustrated. The second part of the course deals with the harmonisation of national labour regulations or transnational labour law.
During each academic year, the course looks in greater depth at one of the two topics. The harmonisation of national labour law focuses on: health and safety at work; working time regulations; anti-discrimination law; non-standard workers; redundancies; transfer of undertaking; employer insolvency; right to information and consultation. Transnational labour law focuses on: free movement of citizens and workers; freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services and their effects on labour law (posting of workers, limits to the right to strike, the application of collective agreements); transnational collective agreements; right to information and participation in European undertakings and groups of undertakings.
During the lessons, the main ECJ, ECtHR and ECSR decisions are discussed and some European and transnational collective agreements are analysed.
This course covers the following topics: 1. The metrics of international trade in infringing goods and services; 2. Intellectual property crime and public order – organized crime and terrorism; 3. Policy responses to the involvement of organised criminals in intellectual property crime; 4. International legislation and intellectual property crime; 5. EU legislation and intellectual property crime- customs controls; 6. National confiscation legislation and intellectual property crime – USA, UK, Italy, France; 7. Case studies in intellectual property crime – medicines, food and agricultural chemicals; 8. Case studies in intellectual property crime – fashion products; 9. Case studies in intellectual property crime – digital products-music, movies and computer programs; 10. The social origins of intellectual property crime.
Please note that, although not included in the educational offer of the Department, the course will allow the acquisition of 3 ECTS.
The institutional part of the course will address the general framework of the protection of human rights in international law: (i) the multilevel protection of human beings in international law; the history of human rights and the role of the individual in the international legal system; (ii) the sources of international human rights law; (iii) the contents of human rights rules, with special reference to civil rights; (iv) the international responsibility for violations of human rights rules; (v) monitoring compliance with international human rights obligations: the role of diplomatic protection; UN Charter-based and treaty-based bodies; judicial enforcement, especially in the European system; criminal prosecution of human rights violations; civil suits against violation of human rights; and (vi) the effects of human rights treaties on the Italian legal order.
The second part of the course will focus on the relationship between the fight against organised crime and the protection of fundamental human rights. The latter topic will also be addressed in the context of inter-disciplinary seminars organised by Ma.Cr.O. Lab - Inter-Disciplinary Research Centre on Mafia and other forms of Organised Crime.
The course aims to provide knowledge about the International Labour Organisation and how it operates. In the first part of the course, the origin and the history of ILO, that in 2019 celebrated its centenary, are illustrated. Moreover, the ILO tripartite composition is explained, describing the different bodies that operate inside the Organisation. Besides, the rules that regulate the ILO Committees that aim to enforce ILO Conventions and Recommendations are presented.
The second part of the course focuses on what ILO does to improve labour standards and working conditions. Therefore, the main ILO Conventions and Recommendations are examined, also taking into consideration how they have been implemented at national level. Some cases of infringements and violations detected by the ILO Committees are illustrated. In the final part of the course, the effectiveness of ILO regulation at national level is analysed, exploring if and how national courts apply ILO Conventions and Regulations and their juridical value in the national legal orders. Moreover, the relevance of ILO regulation for other International entities (such as the EU Institutions, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Committee for social rights) is explored.
Participants in the first part of the course will earn 3 ECTS, as will participants in the second part of the course.
In 2020 the course will be taught by two ILO fonctionnaires who present their in-depth knowledge of the Organisation.
Please note that, although not included in the educational offer of the Department, the course will allow the acquisition of 3 + 3 ECTS.
The lectures will take place fully online between the 23 of November and the 11 of December.
The timetable of the lectures and the link for connecting to them will be provided soon.
International Labour Law - CALENDAR
The course is divided into two parts. The first part addresses the main theoretical aspects of international taxation, including the legitimation to tax by a sovereign State, the (possible) self-restraint in the exercise of this power in order to prevent international double taxation, the source and residence rules applicable to cross-border situations. The second part focuses on the OECD and UN Model Conventions. These will be analysed following an article-by-article approach, with emphasis on specific provisions, such as those relating to the concept of permanent establishment, residence (and domicile) for tax purposes and the notion of passive income.
In this respect, the course will also deal with the ways and means to prevent double taxation, including the use of tax credits or the exemption mechanism. Eventually, basic tax planning schemes will be introduced to students, using the Italian legal system as a benchmark to assess their feasibility and the possible advantages determined by their actual implementation. This will lead to the addressing of tax avoidance and evasion issues together with the principle of “abuse of law” which is extensively used by the Italian and European judiciary to solve intricate cases of tax avoidance.
The first and main part of the course will deal with private cross-border transactions, focusing on the international sale of goods and on the various relations that arise as a result of a sale contract. Topics include among others the UN Convention on the International Sale of Goods 1980 and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts; INCOTERMS 2010 (standard trade terms); International transportation of cargo by sea and road, including the Hague-Visby Rules and Rotterdam Rules and the Convention on the International Carriage of Goods by Road (‘CMR’). Insurance of goods during their transit from the exporting country to the importing country is an important aspect of an international sales transaction. The focus of the discussion is on marine insurance contracts, since much of cargo is still transported by sea. There will also be a focus on dispute resolution, applicable law, arbitration and mediation.
The second part of the course will address the regulatory relationship between State parties and traders, analysing in particular the rules laid down in WTO agreements, with regard, inter alia, to tariffs and duties, subsidies and countervailing measures. At the end of the course students will have a clear overview of the complexities of an international sale transaction through the analysis of international conventions and rules, legislation and case law.
The course aims to provide an introduction to, and explain the basic notions of, French legal culture. Students will discover the law, study how legal rules work through the use of appropriate language and situate collocate French Law in the context of other legal systems by focusing on the meaning and relativity of the transalpine legal rule. The course will be organised into three parts: (1) The foundations of French Law (sources, features, distinction between objective law and subjective rights); (2) The implementation of French Law (application and interpretation); (3) The updating of French Law (from the 1804 Civil Code to the 2016 reform).
The course is in French language.
Professor Yadh Ben Achour, prominent scholar and politician, Member of the Human Rights Committee and formerly Chair of Tunisia’s Higher Political Reform Commission, will share his expertise and reflection on the topic in this intensive seminar. Lectures will be in French with translation into English.
Please note that, although not included in the educational offer of the Department, the course will allow the acquisition of 3 ECTS.
The course addresses the challenges posed to democratic societies by international organised crime as such and in conjunction with corrupt government institutions. There will be a special emphasis on business-related crimes, such as money laundering both from a European and an International perspective. During classes the social consequences of organized crime will be discussed as well using a criminological approach, an empirical methodology and constant focus on the legislation of the EU.
The course's schedule is as follows.
From 12 April to 14 May 2021
Monday, h. 9.00 - 11.00;
Wednesday, h 14.00 - 16.00
Thursday, h 9.00 - 11.00;
Friday, h 9.00 - 11.00.
Legal relationships within the area of private law often feature connections with two or more countries, thereby displaying an international character. Private international law deals with those cases. Its rules address the challenges posed by legal diversity, with the aim of providing certainty and ensuring the cross-border continuity of the rights of those involved. The course examines a selection of private international law instruments. The focus is on the rules enacted by the EU as regards contracts, torts, divorce and parental responsibility. Topics include: (i) the object and function of private international law; (ii) adjudicatory jurisdiction; (iii) the law applicable to cross-border legal relationships; (iv) recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments; and (v) international judicial assistance.
The course aims to familiarise students with the workings of a common law legal system, and to develop competence in legal English to an advanced level in all four language areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
The course is divided into two parts.
The first part addresses the essential points that members from civil law countries need to understand in approaching the study of Legal English as a Legal Language, with a focus on the following topics: (i) Legal English as part of the Common law tradition; (ii) The legacy of English legal history; (iii) The doctrine of binding precedent; (iv) Common lawyers’ attitudes towards law: procedural thinking and procedural language; (v) The role of legislation and the style of law-making; (vi) The interpretation of statutes.
The second part of the course will improve students’ ability to read and understand legal texts, such as legal periodicals, commercial legislation, legal correspondence and other types of legal documents. Students will improve their understanding of spoken English used to talk about legal topics in meetings, presentations, interviews and discussions. There will be the opportunity to practice speaking skills in a range of situations typical of legal practice such as client interviews, discussions with colleagues and contract negotiations.
The course aims to provide an introduction to the use of English as a legal language in national and international legal contexts, while developing a range of language skills, both written and oral/aural at intermediate level, including a strong focus on vocabulary skills and English legal terminology. Variations in legal English in different national contexts and in international and European Union law are introduced.
Lessons are based on the consultation of a range of original texts in English from both national (common law) and international legal orders, with particular emphasis on sources of law (constitutions, legislation, treaties), terminology and legal culture; a systematic approach to learning legal terminology and appropriate legal expression is an integral part of the learning process. The following topics are covered: (i) English in legal contexts; (ii) the language of a legal system (focus on the UK constitution); (iii) the European dimension and human rights (focus on international treaty law, the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights); and (iv) the language of criminal law and human rights.
The main objective of the course is to achieve sufficient competency in legal Spanish so as to be able to develop coherent, logical, accurate and appropriate specific Spanish legal terminology, spoken discourse; to be able to look up and comment on legal texts in Spanish and to be able to discuss legal topics. Learning Spanish cultural legal concepts, through texts and the latest key legislation, also forms part of the course objectives. Constitutional, Civil, Criminal and Procedural Law will be studied. The lessons will be held entirely in Spanish.
The Language Centre of the University of Ferrara offers several opportunities for incoming students to learn Italian, but we strongly suggest students who are enrolling at our Department of Law and who are interested in a beginners' course to join our own free intensive course. This course is specifically designed to meet their linguistic needs, while avoiding overlaps with their academic schedule. Although this course is an intensive pre-semester class, it can be regularly included in your Learning Agreement. Students passing the exam will be awarded 5 ECTS.
Availability of the course subject to a minimum of 5 registered students. Please note: you are entitled to take more than one language course, but you will earn only 5 ECTS in total.
You can register yourself filling this FORM
Calendar
Monday, 1 February h. 15.00 - 17.00;
Wednesday 3 February h. 15.00 - 18.00;
Friday 5 February h. 15.00 - 18.00;
Wednesday 10 February h. 15.00 - 18.00;
Friday 12 February h. 15.00 - 18.00;
Wednesday 17 February h. 15.00 - 18.00;
Friday 19 February h. 15.00 - 18.00.
All classes will take place in the AULA MAGNA of the Law Department, but will also be streamed online. Registered students will receive the link of the virtual classroom by e-mail. In case you're interested in participating in person, please register yourselves at the following website: https://giuri_ferrara.eventbrite.it
Please, before entering the University buildings, read carefully the health and safety rules here available:
http://giuri.unife.it/it/coronavirus/coronavirus-updates-in-english
This course is specifically designed to meet linguistic needs of students that attend a Double-degree course and students who wish to deepen their linguistic knowledge. Although this course is an intensive pre-semester class, it can be regularly included in your Learning Agreement. Students passing the exam will be awarded 5 ECTS.
Please note: you are entitled to take more than one language course, but you will earn only 5 ECTS in total.
You can register yourself filling this FORM
The Department of Law at the University of Ferrara currently offers:
The students can also activate a traineeship.
