The course aims to provide the student with a full knowledge of the various concepts of constitutionalism and of the principles and elements of the Italian Constitutional Law, both under a theoretical and an historical perspective, also considering the ongoing constitutional reform. Acquisition and knowledge of the fundamental notions on the following topics: the State, the State and the international community, the Italian Republic and the European Union, forms of state and forms of government, sources of law, constitutional guarantees, constitutional justice, constitutional organization, judicial power, constitutional principles on administration, territorial autonomy, freedoms and rights. These notions will allow him to build more complex concepts in order to arrive at an overview of the constitutional order in the community and international context.

Knowledge and understanding: the student – through course attendance and practical activities – will gain full knowledge of the general categories of Italian Constitutional Law and concepts of the Constitution, also in the light of the supranational regulatory framework. At the end of the course there will be an oral exam Applying knowledge and understanding: The student, by learning the theory and the appropriate legal method, will be able to interpret and apply, also to cases, principles and concepts of Italian Constitutional Law. The student will be able to compare these principles with those established at the supranational level. At the end of the course, an oral exam will take place. Making judgements: The student, by making use of the appropriate methods learned during the course, will be able to collect data and materials to analyse the relevant provisions, case law as well as scholars’ approaches related to Italian Constitutional Law. The student will gain the ability to evaluate such data independently and to make critical judgements on their application to practical cases. Communication skills: At the end of the course the student will be able to use the legal and technical vocabulary of Constitutional Law, addressing the legal issues at hand with terminological accuracy. Through the various activities that will take place during the course – lessons with discussion and oral exams – the student will be able to put these communication skills into practice in various contexts, by adapting the terms used to the interlocutor in the specific case, thus gaining advanced rhetorical skills necessary for his/her professional career. Learning skills: the technical and legal knowledge gained during the course will allow the student to independently understand and interpret regulatory changes, new case law and scholars’ approaches related to Italian Constitutional Law. The student will develop a solid knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the matter that will allow him/her to carry on also independently further study as well as to undertake different postgraduate training activities.

As an indication, the course examines: the general framework of modern and contemporary constitutionalism; the system of the sources of law and the aspects of the legal phenomenon; the fundamental principles of the Italian Republic; the constitutional rights and duties; the electoral law and the dynamics of the parliamentary form of government; the referendum and the other institutions of direct democracy; the Parliament (structure, functions and parliamentary immunities) and the legislative process; the Executive (structure, functions and ministerial responsibility) and its normative powers; the constitutional principles regarding the Public Administration; the President of the Republic (functions, role and responsibility); the Regions, and the Local Governments (organizations, statutory and regulatory powers, competencies, and institutional relationships with the State); the Judiciary (organization, functions and guarantees); the Constitutional Court (composition and functions).

- R. Bifulco, Diritto Costituzionale, Giappichelli, 2022 Torino. OPPURE - P. Caretti e U. De Siervo, Diritto costituzionale e pubblico, Quarta Edizione, Giappichelli 2020 Torino. OPPURE - T. Martines, Diritto costituzionale, Giuffrè, 2022.

Academic lectures, seminars, exercises, conventions and conferences also held by external guests from the academic and professional world. Multimedia content available on the Moodle platform (videos, slides, tutorials, forums, work groups, etc.)

During the oral exam the student will be required to show that he/she knows and understands notions and principles of Italian Constitutional Law and that he/she is able to apply them to practical cases. The student is expected to be able to independently analyse sources and relevant theories of Italian Constitutional Law and to use the appropriate technical and legal vocabulary, thus proving that he/she has acquired the study method and the learning ability for carrying on, also independently, further study of the matter. The following evaluation criteria will be taken into account to assign the final grade, expressed in thirtieths: - knowledge and understanding of the notions and principles of the matter and ability to apply them to concrete cases (65%); appropriate use of the technical and legal vocabulary, ability to analyse and evaluate relevant sources and acquisition of the study method (35%). Learning gaps concerning one or more notions or principles will lead to an insufficient evaluation, even in presence of a basic knowledge of the matter.

To have passed the exam with the minimum score of 27/30; to have knowledge of foreign languages; to show an aptitude and an interest in the Constitutional Law.