Ateneo - UPO

This course explores the economic analysis of law, focusing on two key areas: property law and contract law.
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 market (i). Afterwards, the course proposes an economic theory of contract law (ii) and an economic theory of property law (iii).
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., contracts and property).

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 market dynamics, identifying which might be the strategies adopted by corporations (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 Contract Law (second part).
An Economic Theory of Property Law (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 property law and contract law (i); how to apply economic concepts and empirical methods in the analysis of these areas of law (ii), and how to investigate the relation between judiciary and market dynamics (iii).