Comparative Private Law

Course objectives

GENERAL OBJECTIVES The course aims to develop the analysis of the most significant institutions of private law in civil law and common law systems, with particular attention to the process of legal uniformization linked to globalization. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Knowledge and understanding (knowledge and understanding) The student must demonstrate complete knowledge and understanding of civil law and common law systems. Applied knowledge and understanding (applying knowledge and understanding): The student will have to demonstrate the in-depth knowledge of the main institutions of national and foreign private law and the methods of legal comparison. Making judgments: The student must demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and manage complexity, as well as to formulate judgments based on limited or incomplete information, including reflection on social and ethical responsibilities related to the application of his knowledge and judgments with particular reference to systems comparative private law firms. Communication skills (communication skills): Ability to communicate goals, contexts and consequences of law policies with particular reference to comparative private law. Learning skills (learning skills): Ability to develop legal documents and the ability to interpret and apply the rules of the national and foreign legal system, measuring convergences and divergences. The ability to find, even through databases, understand and use national and foreign legislation, jurisprudence and doctrine.

Channel 1
ALESSANDRO SOMMA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The general part of the course offers a summary of the main aspects of the subject, structured around three main questions: what, why and how to compare. The special part explores the ways in which legal change induced by globalisation processes is structured, with particular reference to the clash between common law and civil law models.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of Italian public and private law.
Books
For attending students Alessandro Somma, Introduction to Comparative Law, 3rd edition, Turin, Giappichelli, 2025. Materials indicated during lessons. For non-attending students Alessandro Somma, Introduction to Comparative Law, 3rd edition, Turin, Giappichelli, 2025. Edmondo Mostacci and Alessandro Somma, The United States and its Law, Turin, Giappichelli, 2024.
Frequency
Students participate in lessons by interacting with the teacher to guide the explanations and topics chosen.
Exam mode
Questions on topics included in the programme, with an emphasis on reasoning questions rather than factual questions.
Lesson mode
Lecture with illustration of the programme and integration with a focus on issues of specific interest to students, at their request.
ALESSANDRO SOMMA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The general part of the course offers a summary of the main aspects of the subject, structured around three main questions: what, why and how to compare. The special part explores the ways in which legal change induced by globalisation processes is structured, with particular reference to the clash between common law and civil law models.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of Italian public and private law.
Books
For attending students Alessandro Somma, Introduction to Comparative Law, 3rd edition, Turin, Giappichelli, 2025. Materials indicated during lessons. For non-attending students Alessandro Somma, Introduction to Comparative Law, 3rd edition, Turin, Giappichelli, 2025. Edmondo Mostacci and Alessandro Somma, The United States and its Law, Turin, Giappichelli, 2024.
Frequency
Students participate in lessons by interacting with the teacher to guide the explanations and topics chosen.
Exam mode
Questions on topics included in the programme, with an emphasis on reasoning questions rather than factual questions.
Lesson mode
Lecture with illustration of the programme and integration with a focus on issues of specific interest to students, at their request.
  • Lesson code1022647
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • Courselaw
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year5th year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDIUS/02
  • CFU9