REGIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW

The course aims to provide an in-depth study of territorial autonomies as designed by the Italian Constitution and regulated by the legal system over recent decades, in order to offer a comprehensive understanding of the system of local self-government as a whole, while also assessing the distinguishing features that characterize municipalities, provinces, metropolitan cities, and regions. The course seeks to foster the ability to understand the relationships among the different levels of government and administration, including their interactions with the European Union, as well as the changes affecting them, and to analyze the most significant judicial decisions.

Basic knowledge of public law.

Knowledge and understanding: students will acquire basic knowledge concerning the fundamental features of the system of territorial autonomies, including the constitutional and ordinary legal framework, as well as the main reforms that have affected local and regional autonomies. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: students will be able to understand the fundamental principles underlying the system of territorial autonomies, enabling them to work concretely within and in cooperation with regional and local administrations. Autonomy of judgment: students will develop the ability to independently integrate legal knowledge with that of other disciplinary fields and to analyze the complexity of issues concerning territorial autonomies. They will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, self-management, teamwork, initiative, relational, and communication skills, and will acquire the critical tools necessary to understand the dynamics of social and political change and to formulate policy responses or strategies capable of effectively representing them within the political system. Communication skills: students will be able to communicate clearly and persuasively the results of legal analyses and their implications, providing reasoned arguments in a manner open to further refinement, including at the operational stage and when addressing non-specialist audiences. Learning skills: students will be able to independently identify paths for further developing their knowledge, in particular by engaging in in-depth analysis, including through debates on opposing viewpoints; by writing effective reports and articles; by conducting research through the consultation of textbooks, specialized journals, and databases; and by organizing and managing work both individually and collaboratively.

Federalism and regionalism History of Italian regionalism Ordinary statutes and the form of government of the Regions Legislative and regulatory autonomy Functions and administrative organization of the Regions The financial autonomy of the Regions Special autonomies and forms of differentiated regionalism The constitutional system of local autonomies before and after the reform of Title V The regulatory autonomy of local authorities The governmental organization of local authorities The administrative autonomy of local authorities Associative forms and municipal mergers The financial autonomy of local authorities Powers of intervention and cooperative coordination mechanisms Judicial guarantees of territorial autonomies Relations between territorial autonomies and the European Union

In addition to the supplementary readings on specific topics indicated during the course, reference may be made to the latest edition of the following textbook: E. Carloni, F. Cortese, Diritto delle autonomie territoriali, Cedam, Padua, latest edition. At the beginning of the course, the instructors will specify which sections of the textbook will be included in the examination syllabus.

Lectures, seminars, and guest lectures. Contributions from experts in the relevant fields. Analysis and discussion of relevant materials. Throughout the course, periodic exam simulations will be organized.

For attending students taking the exam sessions scheduled at the end of the semester: Student learning assessment takes place during the course through a written midterm test and, at the end of the course, an oral examination. The written midterm test accounts for one third of the final grade and therefore covers the topics addressed in the first four weeks of the course, whose content is specified in the relevant section of the syllabus. In any case, the written test is scheduled for the middle of the course (see the indication in the analytical part of the syllabus), in order to allow students adequate study time. The test consists of 3 open-ended questions: each answer is assigned a score from 0 to 10. The final mark is expressed on a scale of thirty points. The oral examination accounts for two thirds of the final grade and covers the remaining part of the course. The exam consists of an oral interview in which students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the institutions and principles of the system of territorial autonomies. Students must be able to independently analyze relevant legal sources and jurisprudential trends and correctly use the technical-legal vocabulary of the subject, thereby demonstrating that they have acquired the study method and learning skills necessary to continue independently their further study of the subject. For the assignment of the final grade (out of thirty), the following evaluation criteria will be applied: knowledge and understanding of the institutions of regional and local government law (70%); ability to apply them to concrete cases (30%). The final grade is determined by a weighted average of the midterm test and the oral examination. Students who do not pass the midterm test will take an oral examination covering the entire course (100%). For non-attending students and for attending students in other exam sessions: The exam will be conducted orally and will cover the entire course syllabus (100%). The grade is expressed on a scale of thirty points. The following evaluation criteria will be applied: knowledge and understanding of the institutions of regional and local government law (70%); ability to apply them to concrete cases (30%).

Subject to a motivational interview and consideration of participation in course activities.