COSTITUTIONAL LAW
No prerequisites are requested
Course objectives and learning outcomes
The course aims at analysing the Italian Constitution, focusing on the understanding of the overall contitutional legal order, the constitutional text and its implications. It involves the studying of the notion of the Constitution and of the Italian legal system and its evolution, the fundamental constitutional principles, the constitutional powers, the sources of law, local and regional governments, the relationships between the Italian law system and the European/International legal systems, the fundamental rights, the judiciary and the judicial process, the constitutional system of adjudication and the judicial review of legislation. Particular attention throughout the course is devoted to the system of sources of law, the theory of normative acts and normative facts and the criteria for the solution of conflicts among normative acts.
Course contents
The course program will focus on the following subjects:
1. The State: origins of the modern State and the evolution of the different models of State.
2. The Constitution and the Constitutional State. The Italian Constitution and its basic features.
3. The Constitution as source of law and the constitutional revision process.
4. The sources of law.
5. The Constitutional Court and the constitutional adjudication system.
6. The organization of political powers and its evolution in Italy.
7. Direct and representative democracy. The referenda. The electoral systems
8. The Parliament
9. The Government
10. The President of the Republic
11. The Judiciary
12. The regional and local governments
13. Fundamental rights and liberties.
14. The relationships between the European legal order end the Italian legal order.
In-class activities
In-class activities are varied and make use of a mix of frontal lectures, seminars, and exercises.
Textbooks for the exam
One among the following:
- Andrea PISANESCHI, Diritto costituzionale, ed. Giappichelli, 2015 (Ristampa aggiornata).
- Paolo CARETTI - Ugo DE SIERVO, Diritto costituzionale e pubblico, ed. Giappichelli, ULTIMA ED.;
- Roberto BIN - Giovanni PITRUZZELLA, Diritto costituzionale, ed. Giappichelli, ultima edizione;
The exam is oral and combines questions addressed to verify the student's mastery of topics covered in the course with open-ended questions, meant to evaluate critical thinking, problem-solving and the capability to use personal skills/resources in order to solve complex problems (real or hypothetical). Presentation capabilities are evaluated as well.