Learning outcomes

The course aims, firstly, to give students the basic tools of constitutional legal methodology and the knowledge needed to analyse and interpret the Italian Constitution. Secondly, to develop critical thinking on events related to constitutional law by reading and discussing articles in the daily press. It finally aims to convey fundamental notions on a citizen’s rights and duties by studying the form of Italian government and public decision-making.

Program

SYLLABUS
The course will provide an overview of:
1. Law:
- the distinction between subjective and objective law
- the distinction between law and regulation
- legal system concepts
2. Sources of law:
- basic notions (sources of production and knowledge)
- typology
- criteria for resolving differences among sources
3. The State:
- historical formation
- constitutive elements (nation, country, and sovereignty)
- State structures and classifications
4. The Italian Constitution:
- origins
- characteristics
- main principles
- duties and rights
- constitutional institutions:
a) Parliament
b) Government
c) President of the Republic
d) Constitutional Court
- Regional and local authorities.

METHODOLOGY
Classroom meetings usually consist of theoretical lectures.
In the final part of the course especially, lessons on constitutionally relevant contemporary topics will be developed through commentary articles published in daily media.
During the course, students will have the opportunity to actively examine and discuss a sentencing from the Constitutional Court.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK
P. Caretti e U. De Siervo, Diritto costituzionale e pubblico, Giappichelli, Torino, III new edition, 2018. Chapters not included: V (l’Italia e l’Unione Europea), X (L’organizzazione degli apparati amministrativi statali – only section II: gli apparati statali), XI (princìpi in tema di attività amministrativa), XII (Regioni ed enti locali – only paragraphs 4 to 7), XIV (il potere giudiziario) e XVI (il sistema delle fonti normative – only 7 to 13).

Examination Methods

The final exam is to assess the learning outcomes indicated above.
There will be two sections: a written exam with three open questions, and an oral exam. The written exam results will contribute to the final mark but will not prevent access to the oral exam (art. 12, comma 3, Academic Regulation, College of Law). The final mark will be an average between the written and oral sections.
Students attending the course can take the exam in December, after the end of the course. The exam will consist of open questions about topics covered during the course. The oral section of the exam will take place during the exam session.
ERASMUS students should discuss exam options with the professor.

Teaching materials e documents

•   programma e testi consigliati (ingl)   (msword, it, 35 KB, 8/20/18)
•   programma e testi consigliati (ita)   (msword, it, 34 KB, 8/20/18)