Ateneo - UPO

This course explores the economic analysis of crime, focusing on criminal law (i), punishment of crimes (ii) and courts efficiency in enforcing the law (iii).
The course begins with an introductory overview of Law and Economics, emphasizing the adopted approach and its contribution to support the policy maker in improving the legal environment that regulates the society in which we live.
Afterwards, the course proposes an economic theory of the legal process, and then an economic theory of crime and punishment.
The topics are supported by case studies and practical applications, leading students into the topics and supporting their learning.

Cooter, R., & Ulen, T. (2016). Law and economics. Addison-Wesley.

Selected scientific articles on the topics discussed during the course (i.e., economic analysis of crime).

The course has the following mission: improving students’ knowledge and understanding skills of economic analysis of law (i); enhancing students’ ability to apply the acquired knowledge to interpret economic and social dynamics, identifying which might be the strategies adopted by corporations and the decision making of people who live in the society (ii); improving students’ abilities in selecting which might be the most appropriate technique to implement applied studies and how to interpret the collect evidence (iii); increasing students’ communication skills, empowering their ability in identifying practical implications and in fostering key messages to all stakeholders (iv); improving students’ learning skills, proposing relevant literature on the topics under investigation and case studies that reflect the current situation of the Italian market and its legal environment (v).

The course does not require any particular background or specific knowledge.

The course is split up between lectures on the core issues of the program and seminar sessions during which students must contribute to the learning process by presenting scientific articles on selected relevant topics for the Law and Economics, and actively taking part in discussions concerning the proposed cases studies.

None.

Oral presentation of a scientific article with a key case study (during the course) and written exam (at the end of the course).

An Introduction to Law and Economics (first part).
An Economic Theory of the Legal Process (second part).
An Economic Theory of Crime and Punishment (third part).
Case studies and applications (fourth part).

At the end of the course students will be able to critically evaluate how microeconomic theory can be used to assess criminal law and the decision making of who commit a crime (i); how to apply economic concepts and empirical methods in the analysis of this specific area of law (ii), and how to investigate the relation between judicial efficiency and criminal behavior (iii).