REGIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW
Instructional goals
The course aims to deepen the study of territorial autonomies as planned by the Italian Constitution and regulated by the law in recent decades in order to allow a complete vision of the autonomistic system as a whole, even in the evaluation of the differential elements that distinguish municipalities, provinces, metropolitan cities and regions. The course intends to foster the development of the ability to understand the relationships between the different levels of government and administration also in relations with the European Union, as well as the changes that concern them and to analyze the most relevant jurisprudential decisions.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: the student will acquire basic knowledge concerning the fundamental characteristics of the system of territorial autonomies, the constitutional and ordinary discipline and the main reforms that have affected the territorial autonomies
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to understand the fundamental logic of the system of territorial autonomy which allows to work concretely within and with regional and local administrations
Making judgements: the student will develop the ability to autonomously integrate legal knowledge with that of other disciplinary sectors and to analyze the complexity of the phenomena concerning territorial autonomy, developing critical thinking, problem solving, self-management, teamwork skills , initiative, relationship and communication, and will have the critical tools to understand the dynamics of social and political changes, and to develop policy responses or strategies capable of best representing them within the political system.
Communication skills: the student will be able to communicate the results of legal analyzes and the consequent implications in a clear and persuasive way, motivating them in an open way for their better development also in the operational phase and also towards non-specialist interlocutors.
Learning skills: the student will be able to autonomously identify paths for deepening their knowledge, in particular to develop insights also in the form of a debate on opposing theses, to write effective reports and articles, to conduct research by consulting texts, journals specialist and databases, to organize and manage work, even in aggregate form.
Course Contents
Federalism and regionalism
History of Italian regionalism
Ordinary statutes and form of government of the Regions
Special autonomies and forms of differentiated regionalism
The financial autonomy of the regions
Functions and organization of the Regions
Regulatory autonomy of local authorities
The administrative autonomy of local authorities
The governing organization of local authorities
Associative forms and mergers between municipalities
The financial autonomy of local authorities
Powers of interference and cooperative links
The jurisdictional guarantees of autonomy
Relations between territorial autonomies and the EU
Reference Books
In addition to the supplementary readings on specific topics indicated during the course, reference can be made to the latest edition of the following manual:
E.Carloni, F. Cortese, Diritto delle autonomie territoriali, Cedam, Padova, latest edition.
At the beginning of the course, the teachers will indicate the parts of the manual that will be examined.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, seminars, and testimonials. Interventions by experts in the disciplines. Examination of relevant materials and discussion. Periodic simulations of the exams will be organized during the course.
Assessment Method
The student's learning is verified on an ongoing basis by carrying out two written intermediate tests and, at the end of the course, with an oral interview.
The intermediate written tests have a weight of 70% on the final grade. Each test, whose weight is 35% of the final grade, consists of 3 open-ended questions: each answer will be assigned a score from 0 to 10. The grade is assigned out of thirty.
The oral exam has a weight of 30% on the final grade. The exam consists of an oral interview in which the student must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the institutions and principles of the territorial autonomies system. The student must be able to independently analyze the relevant legal sources and guidelines and correctly use the technical-legal vocabulary of the subject, thus demonstrating that they have achieved the study method and learning ability necessary to continue the in-depth study of the subject independently.
Thesis assignment criteria
Subject to motivational interview and consideration of participation in the course activities
Week 1
Federalism and regionalism
History of Italian regionalism
Week 2
Statutes and form of government of the regions
Week 3
Legislative and regulatory autonomy
Week 4
Functions and administrative organization of the regions
Week 5
Regional financial autonomy
Week 6
Special autonomy
Different forms of autonomy
Week 7
The constitutional system of local autonomies before and after the reform of Title V
Regulatory autonomy of local authorities
Week 8
The governing organization of municipalities and large area entities
Week 9
The administrative autonomy of local authorities
Associative forms and mergers between municipalities
Week 10
The financial autonomy of local authorities
Week 11
The guarantees of autonomy: the principle of loyal collaboration
The jurisdictional guarantees of autonomy
Week 12
Relations between territorial autonomies and the EU