81883 - Bio-Criminal Law from Ancient Times to the Present

Learning outcomes

The term 'bio-crimes' is normally referred to crimes committed with the use of pathogens, toxins and biological agents in general. This course, however, explores the meaning of Bio-Criminal law under a different perspective, namely how criminal law has tackled moral dilemmas concerning some of the most important decisions on human life.  At the end of the course, students will acquire an historical understanding of the problems of the relationship between criminal law and ethics, both from a technical and cultural point of view.

Course contents

The course will deal with the history of euthanasia under a criminal perspective, from Antiquity to the present time.

Among the topics that will be covered by lectures figure:

1. Euthanasia in the Greek and Roman culture;

2. Euthanasia in the history of Christian culture;

3. Cases of Christian euthanasia;

4. Attitudes towards euthanasia in European popular customs;

5. The problem of palliative medicine (18th and 19thX century);

6. The European debate on the legalization of euthanasia in the 19th century and in the first decades of the 20th century;

7. Euthanasia in literature.

Readings/Bibliography

Pages 9-212 of Marco Cavina, Andarsene al momento giusto. Culture dell'eutanasia nella storia europea (Bologna, Il Mulino Editore, 2015) are required reading.

Teaching methods

Teacher-centred class. A seminar approach will be possible whenever dealing with primary sources, provided that students are willing to get more involved.

Assessment methods

Exams will consist of an oral test. Students will be assessed either on all the topics dealt with in the required reading (for students who do not regularly attend classes) and/or during classes (for those who attend them). Classes will be held approximately from February to May: students enrolled on the first year cannot take their exam before the end of May.

The outcome of the exam will be judged according to the following criteria. Students mastering with skill and perspicacity the evolution of the problems of euthanasia from Antiquityto the contemporary period, and who will also know relevant data, such as historical figures, events and chronology, will be excellently graded (final mark between 27 and 30; an exceptional ability to navigate the subject and to personally rework the contents of the course will lead to a final mark of 30 hons.). Students who will prove sufficient knowledge of the topics dealt with and of just more important facts will get decent marks (final mark between 22 and 26). Rote learning will lead to pass the exam only if learners show minimum knowledge of key subjects (final mark between 18 and 21). Students showing serious gaps in their information, or unable to capture the historical and juridical sense of the topics dealt with, will fail their exam.

Students need to register for their exam on the Almaesami website.

Teaching tools

Teaching material will be available on Virtuale . Students are strongly advised to subscribe to the mailing list
ugo.bruschi.Biodiritto_Penale_2025
through www.dsa.unibo.it. The mailing list will be used in order to circulate useful information, such as urgent notices about classes. Students are asked to refrain from replying to the messages sent through the mailing list, as replies sometimes get lost. Instead, they should write directly to Dr Bruschi (ugo.bruschi@unibo.it).

Students with learning disabilities (DSA) are more than welcome to contact Dr Bruschi in order to work out the best way of studying and/or taking their exam.

Office hours

See the website of Ugo Bruschi