00222 - Constitutional Law

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on the analysis of the Italian Constitution. The understanding of the constitutional text and its implications involves the studying of: basic notions of the general theory of law, fundamental constitutional principles, sources of law, human rights, constitutional powers, individual rights in the judicial process, local and regional governments, relations between the Italian law system and the European/International legal systems.

Course contents

1. Legal systems and constitutional law. - 2. The State. - 3. The Italian Constitution. - 4. Constitutional law and International law - 5. Constitutional law and EU Law - 6. Sources of law. - 7. Fundamental rights. - 8. The catalogue of rights. - 9. Forms of government. - 10.  Popular sovereignty. - 11. The Parliament. - 12. The Head of the State. - 13. The Government . - 14. The regional and local government. - 15. The public administration. - 16. The judicial system. - 15. The Constitutional Court. - 16. The Italian legal system and its evolution.

Readings/Bibliography

The exam is based on the following text:

A. Barbera, C. Fusaro, C. Caruso, Corso di diritto pubblico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024.

Teaching methods

Classes will take place during the first semester, according to the schedule that will be published subsequently.

Lessons are held in person, with the support of digital teaching materials that will be available on the Virtual platform.

The active participation of students is strongly encouraged, both during the lesson and in the exercises on current topics.

Assessment methods

Final Exam

The students' learning will be verified through a final exam, testing the formative outcomes of the course.

The exam will take place in written and oral form, in the context of the same appeal. Both parts of the exam will verify the student’s understanding and comprehension of the course’s contents.

In the written assessment, which will take place just before the interview, students will be asked to respond to multiple choice questions in the form of a multiple-choice tests on topics addressed during the course. The student is admitted to the oral exam with a maximum of errors.

The oral part of the exam will take place right after the written test and it will consist in an interview with professor and the teaching assistants. The assessment will take into account the general knowledge of the main topics of the course, as well as the ability to analyze case law and its theorical implications, the critical approach and and argumentative clarity.

By way of example, the following criteria will be used to assess the final grade (that will be out of 30/30):

- sufficient or barely sufficient knowledge of the programme, limited reasoning ability, some difficulties in using technical and legal language → 18-21/30;

- fairly good knowledge of the programme, adequate critical reasoning ability, sound use of technical and legal language →22-25/30;

- comprehensive knowledge of the programme, notable reasoning ability, good command of technical and legal language →26-29/30;

- extensive knowledge of the programme, very good reasoning ability, and ability to fully master technical-legal language →30-30L/30.

Facilities are provided for attending students in relation to the assessment methods.

 

Final Thesis

The thesis topic is given after a talk with the Professor. The editing modalities will be fixed in accordance with the Professors. The final thesis will be delivered to the Professor two weeks before the delivery to the administration office

Teaching tools

Students can use Pandoracampus, the service associated to the textbook. The space is dedicated to the study and teaching; in it are available insights, questions for review, summary diagrams, online tutors, etc.

Students are adequately supported by a tutor with regard to any questions or issues on the examination program or the course.

Students in any case can ask the professor questions during office hours o via mail. 

Office hours

See the website of Caterina Domenicali