Unit LAW AND RELIGION
- Course
- Philosophy and ethics of relationships
- Study-unit Code
- A003519
- Curriculum
- World religions and philosophy
- Teacher
- Silvia Angeletti
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
LAW AND RELIGION I MODUL
| Code | A003524 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 3 |
| Teacher | Silvia Angeletti |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Academic discipline | IUS/11 |
| Type of study-unit | Opzionale (Optional) |
| Language of instruction | English will be the language of teaching and examination |
| Contents | In view of a fruitful understanding and interaction during the second part of the course (see Syllabus Module II), the Module I will be devoted to helping students familiarizing with key concepts in legal thought about human rights and freedom of religion or belief. Taking into account previous knowledge and competences of attending students, some basic notions will be given about legal institutions and the role of jurisprudence in the development of human rights and freedom of religion. A brief overview on historical developments of freedom of thought, conscience and religion will be given, together with an understanding of the turning point marked by the contemporary Bill of Rights. Theories and practices in the field of freedom of religion will be assessed within the more general understanding of human rights. Attention will be given to differences and practical outcomes of contemporary multicultural and intercultural approaches to religious issues. |
| Reference texts | Information about learning materials are available at the Syllabus of Module II. A partially diversified program of examination may be agreed upon, provided that the general objectives of the course are granted and the proposed program is aimed at furthering personal patterns of research. In order to propose a partially individualized program, students are invited to contact the teacher (silvia.angeletti@unipg.it) at the beginning of the course or, at least, in due time before the scheduled exam. |
| Educational objectives | The overall objectives are explained at the Syllabus of Module II. Specific objectives of Module I will cover: - Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of public institutions in protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief; main features and distinctions between international and supranational organizations and agencies protecting human rights and freedom of religion. -Understanding and analysis of religious issues from the legal standpoint. Basic knowledge of religious laws and their interaction with secular legal systems. |
| Prerequisites | See Syllabus Module II |
| Teaching methods | See Syllabus Module II. In view of facilitating the understanding of the Module II, attendance to the Module I of the course is highly recommended. |
| Other information | See Syllabus Module II. If the student is willing to anticipate the exam before the planned year, he/she will be expected to attend classes during the scheduled Term and sit the exam at the end of it. Erasmus students are allowed to make their evaluation of the course either in English or French. |
| Learning verification modality | For both attending and non-attending students, the final evaluation will consist of an oral exam (questions and answers). Active participation in class and presentations will be considered for the final evaluation (see Syllabus Module II). The exam will be based on the study of learning material as well as on the study of the topics discussed in class and of the additional material available at the platform Unistudium. Students not attending classes are also invited to check the material on Unistudium. The aim of the exam will be to assess: 1) knowledge and understanding of the main questions related to the interactions between law and religion in historical and contemporary perspective; 2) applying knowledge and understanding to the cases analyzed in class or in the learning material and evaluating the related questions 3) learning and communication skills, as, in particular, the ability to critically explain issues regarding law and religion and to clarify the underlined, emerging problems. A partially diversified program of examination may be agreed upon, provided that the general objectives of the course are granted and the specific program is aimed at furthering personal patterns of research. In order to propose a partially individualized program, students are invited to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course or, at least, in due time before the scheduled exam. Students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders are invited to visit the online page: https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa and to agree with the teacher on planned measures. |
| Extended program | For the overall program of the course, see Syllabus Module II. Topics covered in Module I are subject to change in relation to specific needs and previous studies of attending students. E.g., they will cover: - The interaction of law and religion in the context of Religious Studies - Promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief within the international and regional protection of human rights - The structure and aim of European Union institutions and the European Convention on human rights - Basic knowledge of religious laws |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 4) Quality education; 5) Gender equality; 10) Reduced inequalities; 16) Peace, justice and strong institutions |
LAW AND RELIGION II MODUL
| Code | A003525 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Silvia Angeletti |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Academic discipline | IUS/11 |
| Type of study-unit | Opzionale (Optional) |
| Language of instruction | English will be the language of teaching and examination. |
| Contents | This course will focus on the interaction between law and religion in its multifaceted fashion (religion law; religious laws). Classes will cover a broad range of topical issues, which include: the concepts of secularism, the definition of religions as normative worlds, the main patterns of legal regulation in a comparative perspective, protective measures and limits to freedom of religion or belief and judicial responses to conflicts between freedom of religion and other fundamental rights, following an intercultural approach. The role of institutional religions in the global agenda will also be investigated, with particularly concern on the issues of sustainable developments, social justice and peace. |
| Reference texts | Learning material: Md Jahid Hossain Bhuiyan and Carla M. Zoethout (ed), Freedom of Religion and Religious Pluralism, Brill, Nijhoff, 2023. The book is available online in Open Access, the pdf is free for download (free download at: https://brill.com/edcollbook-oa/title/61481) As for the examination, the following Chapters of the aforementioned book shall be studied: - Students attending the LM-01, Law degree course are expected to study Chapters 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14. Students attending classes, who will take part in class presentations (further instructions will be given during the course), will be expected to study four Chapters among the ones previously indicated. - Students attending the course ‘European legal integration and human rights’ are expected to choose and study four Chapters among the Chapters 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14. Students attending classes, who will take part in class presentations (further instructions will be given during the course), will be expected to study two Chapters among the ones previously indicated. - Students attending Law and Religion from the FISSUF Dept., are allowed to a partially different learning program, which will be agreed upon taking into account their previous studies and background competences. Documents and additional lecture materials (including slides) will be available on the Unistudium platform. |
| Educational objectives | Within the overall context of the Degree Course’s educational goals: - Adequate knowledge of the relationship between law and religion in international, European and national legal systems, in historical and comparative perspective. - Broad understanding of the main controversial issues between religion, law and society in contemporary, global perspective, through the application of competences and skills in analysis and assessment. - Communication skills, critical analysis competences, correct use of logic and language. |
| Prerequisites | Suitable knowledge of English. Attendance is open to students from plural curricula, to whom no prerequisites are applied. Additional material shall be suggested by the teacher, upon request, to make up for lack of knowledge of basic legal questions. |
| Teaching methods | Term one. Lectures and slide presentations, at times with Italian or foreign speakers. Group works, seminars, case-law discussions in class. Students are expected to actively engage in class discussion and to participate in students’ individual or group presentations, which will be favorably considered for the purpose of the examination. Attendance is not compulsory but it is highly recommended, since the topics discussed in class are not entirely covered by the learning material. |
| Other information | For any further information on the course activities, assessment and examination, please contact: silvia.angeletti@unipg.it Office hours shall be online in Teams or in presence at the Law Department. To be updated with scheduled office hours: www.giurisprudenza.unipg.it/personale/silvia.angeletti If the student is willing to anticipate the exam before the planned year, he/she will be expected to attend classes during the scheduled Term and sit the exam at the end of it. Erasmus students are allowed to make their evaluation of the course in English or French. |
| Learning verification modality | For both attending and non-attending students, the final evaluation will consist of an oral exam (questions and answers). The overall aim of the exam is to assess the acquired knowledge and competences, ability to properly and critically explain topics and apply knowledge to case-law and questions. The exam will be based on the study of learning material as well as on the study of the topics discussed in class and of the additional material available at Unistudium. Students not attending classes are also invited to check the material at Unistudium. Students with disabilities may be given specific support upon request. Please, find more information on the webpage: https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Extended program | The topics covered in class are subject to change, depending upon the course: - Key concepts (religion, secularization, intercultural law) - Freedom of religion or belief in secular and religious laws - Comparative analysis of religion laws in Europe - Minority religions in global perspective - Religion in public spaces (dress code, symbols) - Religion in the public/private divide (non-discrimination, religion in the workplace) - Religion, family and the State. Best interests of the child and parents’ beliefs - Religion and education - Balancing FoRB and other rights: judicial responses to conflicts - Blasphemy, hate speech and free speech - Religion, social integration and security - Religion and sustainable development |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 4) Quality education; 5) Gender equality; 10) Reduced inequalities; 16) Peace, justice and strong institutions |