Teaching code

4S010554

Teacher

Francesco Palermo

Coordinator

Francesco Palermo

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

IUS/21 - COMPARATIVE PUBLIC LAW

Period

Sem. 2A dal Feb 16, 2026 al Mar 26, 2026.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims at providing students with the knowledge of constitutional and administrative law in comparative perspective, as well as of the global dynamics of legal phenomena and their functioning.
Students must be able to analyse global phenomena, including the more complex ones (socio-economic, political, related to climate change) by using methods and key concepts of modern comparative public law.
At the end of the course, the student be familiar with the analysis and the understanding of differentiated regulatory systems that complete the legal approach to emergences and risk management, with particular reference to the multilevel and transnational functioning of modern law.
The student will acquire the ability to address and to solve real problems of the professional context in which he/she will operate. Students will become familiar with the appropriate, specific disciplinary vocabulary, adopting the correct lines of reasoning and argumentation, and making independent judgments. The teaching method used is functional to continuous learning and updating of acquired knowledge.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The course is open to all those who have a minimum knowledge of Italian constitutional law, a basic cultural background, including on the main historical events (at least of the Western world), sufficient language skills in English, and above all are interested in what happens in contemporary world.

Program

The course provides the necessary tools for understanding constitutional dynamics through the lens of threats to constitutions and the responses that legal systems provide.
The first part of the course is devoted to introducing constitutionalism and to the explanation of how constitutions function, particularly in relation to threats posed by emergencies. Especially the phenomena of anti-system/enemy forces and the protection of values under emergency conditions will be analyzed.
The second part of the course focuses on the analysis and discussion of cases, from the dissolution of political parties to the loss of fundamental rights, from coping with the recent pandemic to rules for legitimate crisis management.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The approach and the syllabus are different for students attending classes and those not attending. Students attending classes are expected to learn primarily by actively following classes as well as the supporting lessons offered in addition to regular teaching. In the classroom, teaching consists of partly frontal lectures dedicated to the consolidation of basic notions, key categories and fundamental legal tools. For the rest, moments of in-depth study, dialogue and verification are provided, aimed at implementing the theoretical knowledge. In addition, useful materials are provided on the University’s e-learning platform (Moodle) for in-progress self-assessment of learning and familiarization with the norms and jurisprudence of different legal systems (slides, legal texts, judicial rulings, essays). Thus, preparation takes place mainly in the classroom and through the study of the notes and materials provided, and verification is constant through active participation and classroom discussion of the materials provided in readings.
Active participation and interaction with and between students is strongly encouraged, both by soliciting comments and reflections during classes and by inviting students to summarise in class what they have learnt in previous lectures. Such active participation forms integral part of the final grade. Additional readings are also provided on a voluntary basis, with the opportunity to briefly present in class what has been learnt.
Students not attending classes will study on the following book:
• C. Cercel, G.G. Fusco, S. Lavis (eds.), States of Exception. Law, History, Theory, Routledge, 2021

Learning assessment procedures

Exams are organized as follows:
The assessment of learning outcomes involves:
- attending students may opt for a written assessment at the end of the course, in the form of a test or term paper. If the written test is not passed, the exam will be oral. The examination is also oral in the exam sessions following the first one.
- for non-attending students: oral examination based on the textbook.
Goals of the exams:
Objectives of the assessment tests:
- The written test is aimed at ascertaining knowledge of the topics in the syllabus and the ability to apply logical schemes to the various problems proposed.
- The oral test consists of an oral interview, the evaluation of which is expressed in thirtieths.
Content and procedure of the assessment tests:
- The written test, reserved for attending students, is open-ended and covers the topics dealt with during classes. The final assessment is expressed in 30ths. It is possible to write and present a paper on a topic agreed upon with the teacher in lieu of the written test.
- The oral test covers the entire programme. The final assessment is expressed in thirties.
Students who decide not to attend classes are invited to study on the textbook only. Given the profound differences in methodology and approach between classes and the textbook, it is recommended to take only one, consistent approach. Classes and the related teaching materials are designed for active explanation by the teacher, while the textbook can be read autonomously. In particular, it is recommended for students not attending the classes to study on the textbook only and not on the slides.

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation criteria are as follows:
(a) the depth and breadth of knowledge gained;
(b) the ownership of language;
(c) the ability to link knowledge in a systemic form;
d) the analytical and argumentative capacity.
For attending students, active participation in lectures is an additional assessment criterion.
Mnemonic repetition of the materials used in lectures (for attending students) or textbooks (for non-attending students) is not sufficient to pass the examination: critical reasoning and the ability to link topics and institutes are encouraged.
ERASMUS students are requested to contact the lecturer (francesco.palermo@univr.it) at the beginning of the courses in order to agree together on teaching and assessment methods tailored to them.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is made up on the basis of the verification of the criteria mentioned, approximately 1/4 for each criterion. Thus, in addition to the acquired notions, the grade is determined by the technical language used, the ability to link topics and institutes, and the analytical and argumentative ability.
For attending students, active participation in lectures is also taken into account.

Exam language

inglese