Civic Education and Law a.y. 2026-2025 – Corso di laurea magistrale in Scienze pedagogiche

CFU: 6
Course code: 804002878
SSD: GIUR-17/A Filosofia del Diritto
Master’s Degree: Scienze pedagogiche
Language: Italian

Course delivery modalities: in-presence/on-line learning
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination/in itinere
Period: I semestre

Pre-requisites:
None

Program:
The course aims to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for the use of theoretical and methodological foundations in defining civic education, with particular reference to defining a research problem, formulating a hypothesis, identifying the main data collection tools, critically reviewing hypotheses, as well as selecting coherent paths for research problem solution. It also provides students with the necessary tools to formulate research projects in the field of civic education that meet the educational needs of a given context and to form judgments on legal situations in the educational field.

Program:

The course aims to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for the use of theoretical and methodological foundations in defining civic education, with particular reference to defining a research problem, formulating a hypothesis, identifying the main data collection tools, critically reviewing hypotheses, as well as selecting coherent paths for research problem solution. It also provides students with the necessary tools to formulate research projects in the field of civic education that meet the educational needs of a given context and to form judgments on legal situations in the educational field.

Text books:
Civic Education: the Constitution, Sustainable Development, the UN’s 2030 Agenda, and Digital Citizenship, by Francesco Primerano, 2022.

Bibliography:
Italian Constitution

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course aims to present a reflection, from a perspective focused on law and philosophy, regarding civic education. The Law, by focusing civic education on knowledge of the Italian Constitution, recognizes it not only as a cornerstone norm of our system, but also as a criterion for identifying rights, duties, tasks, personal and institutional behaviors aimed at promoting the full development of the individual and the participation of all citizens in the political, economic, and social organization of the country. In essence, the Charter is a clear and systematic code of cultural and pedagogical value, capable of welcoming and giving meaning and direction especially to the individuals living in schools and to the disciplines and activities carried out there. Article 7 of the Law affirms the need for educational institutions to strengthen collaboration with families in order to promote behaviors based on conscious citizenship, not only rights, duties, and rules of coexistence, but also the challenges of the present and immediate future, also integrating the Educational Pact of shared responsibility and extending it to primary schools. The course will analyze two particularly relevant topics in today’s social scenario: the first, of international importance, will deal with theories of war and human rights, the second, of social origin, will focus on gender theories and equity. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY: Ability to understand fundamental legal and civic language and relate it to moral, sociological, and pedagogical challenges. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING CAPACITY: Discussion and personal work JUDGMENT AUTONOMY: Concrete cases to illustrate the philosophical points of civic education and how to teach them. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Ability to understand living together. LEARNING ABILITY: Ability to apply theoretical concepts to design heritage education interventions

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course aims to present a reflection, from a perspective focused on law and philosophy, regarding civic education. The Law, by focusing civic education on knowledge of the Italian Constitution, recognizes it not only as a cornerstone norm of our system, but also as a criterion for identifying rights, duties, tasks, personal and institutional behaviors aimed at promoting the full development of the individual and the participation of all citizens in the political, economic, and social organization of the country. In essence, the Charter is a clear and systematic code of cultural and pedagogical value, capable of welcoming and giving meaning and direction especially to the individuals living in schools and to the disciplines and activities carried out there.
Article 7 of the Law affirms the need for educational institutions to strengthen collaboration with families in order to promote behaviors based on conscious citizenship, not only rights, duties, and rules of coexistence, but also the challenges of the present and immediate future, also integrating the Educational Pact of shared responsibility and extending it to primary schools. The course will analyze two particularly relevant topics in today’s social scenario: the first, of international importance, will deal with theories of war and human rights, the second, of social origin, will focus on gender theories and equity.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY:
Ability to understand fundamental legal and civic language and relate it to moral, sociological, and pedagogical challenges.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING CAPACITY:
Discussion and personal work
JUDGMENT AUTONOMY:
Concrete cases to illustrate the philosophical points of civic education and how to teach them.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Ability to understand living together.
LEARNING ABILITY:
Ability to apply theoretical concepts to design heritage education interventions

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
Assessment takes place through an oral exam. The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria: – Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language. – 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language. – 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical. – 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical. – 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language. 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

Assessment takes place through an oral exam.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills
with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with
appropriate/technical language.
30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent
skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Attendance modalities:
The course, delivered in a blended mode, includes both in-presence lectures and distance learning activities. In-presence lectures (2h) will be balanced by plenary discussions on specific topics, in-progress exercises and assessment activities. The distance learning activities include video lectures, self-regulated learning activities, exercises, case studies and web seminars. Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.

Attendance modalities:

The course, delivered in a blended mode, includes both in-presence lectures and distance learning activities. In-presence lectures (2h) will be balanced by plenary discussions on specific topics, in-progress exercises and assessment activities. The distance learning activities include video lectures, self-regulated learning activities, exercises, case studies and web seminars.
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.