Constitutional Comparative Law
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The main objective of this course is to analyze, under a comparative point of view, the constitutional law of countries belonging to an area in the past submitted to the socialist rule (Central and Eastern Europe). This will underline similarities and differences with Western constitutional models. The countries concerned are almost all members of the European Union (including the Baltic States, formerly part of the Soviet Union). The constitutional system of Russia is instead quite different, because of its different historical and constitutional background, the knowledge of which is crucial for a better comprehension of political and constitutional system and for casting a foresight on the future development of the country. The teaching method will stimulate the students' making judgments and applying knowledge, in addition to the traditional understanding ability.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the knowledge necessary to understand the constitutional dynamics of Central and Eastern European countries, in a historical and comparative perspective, and will be able to analyse the different types of transition and the differences in relevant areas (consolidated democracies, illiberal democracies, post authoritarian regimes). Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The acquired knowledge will allow the student to analyze autonomously the constitutional characteristics of the new democracies and to express both in written and oral presentations (the latter resulted from team work), an in-depth analysis based on the autonomous gathering of sources (legislation, case-law and doctrine) and on the use of a specific language
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The teaching program involves the presentation and discussion of the following topics: historical and constitutional development of Central and Eastern European countries in comparison with Western democracies; different political transitions in the twentieth century, especially the great transition at the end of the century following the collapse of the socialist regime; constitutional frameworks, bill of rights and their guarantees; constitutional justice and transitional justice; the systems of government in the countries studied.
The teaching program involves the presentation and discussion of the following topics:: constitutional developments of Russia from the Tzarist Empire to the Russian Federation; constitutional frame work and rights protection; party and electoral system and the "governing President" system of government; the constitutional amendment of July, I 2020.
The teaching program involves the presentation and discussion of the following topics:: constitutional developments of Russia from the Tzarist Empire to the Russian Federation; constitutional frame work and rights protection; party and electoral system and the "governing President" system of government; the constitutional amendment of July, I 2020.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic foundation in comparative public law (forms of state and forms of government, constitutions and constitutionalism, constitutional justice), in international law (especially the democratic conditionality process to enter the main international organizations) and in contemporary history (especially the Bolshevik revolution, the geo-political landscape following the WW 2 and the collapse of socialist regimes after 1989), is required to understand the course contents.
Teaching methods
The teaching methods are focused on the task to be pursued. In the first part of the course, traditional lecturing is aimed at the acquisition of knowledge.
In the last part, in order to facilitate the ability to apply the acquired knowledge, interactive methods will be favored: the explanation of the way of preparing constitutional chronicles and final group presentations, research on databases and institutional sites in order to collect the material for the tests. The teaching method is closely linked to the methodology and lexicon of comparative law. Each year, a variable number of seminars will be held to focus on specific topics with the involvement of Italian or foreign guests, the latter within the Erasmus teacher mobility program
In the last part, in order to facilitate the ability to apply the acquired knowledge, interactive methods will be favored: the explanation of the way of preparing constitutional chronicles and final group presentations, research on databases and institutional sites in order to collect the material for the tests. The teaching method is closely linked to the methodology and lexicon of comparative law. Each year, a variable number of seminars will be held to focus on specific topics with the involvement of Italian or foreign guests, the latter within the Erasmus teacher mobility program
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
1. A. Di Gregorio (eds.), I sistemi costituzionali dei paesi dell'Europa centro-orientale, baltica e balcanica, Wolters Kluwer, Padova, 2019, chapters 1 and 2, Epilogue.
2. A. Di Gregorio, Dinamiche di contesto e caratteristiche generali della Legge di Emendamento della Costituzione della Russia del 14 marzo 2020, in Nuovi Autoritarismi e Democrazie, vol. 2, n. 1, 2020, https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/NAD/article/view/13788/12905;
3. A. Di Gregorio, Il presidenzialismo in Russia: da un modello ibrido a un sistema apertamente autoritario, in DPCE Online, n. 1, 2023 Available at:
Non attending:
1. A. Di Gregorio (a cura di), I sistemi costituzionaoli dei paesi dell'Europa centro-orientale, baltica e balcanica, Wolters Kluwer, Padova, 2019, chapters 1, 2 and 3, Epilogue
2. A. Di Gregorio, Dinamiche di contesto e caratteristiche generali della Legge di Emendamento della Costituzione della Russia del 14 marzo 2020, in Nuovi Autoritarismi e Democrazie, vol. 2, n. 1, 2020, https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/NAD/article/view/13788/12905;
3. A. Di Gregorio, Il presidenzialismo in Russia: da un modello ibrido a un sistema apertamente autoritario, in DPCE Online, n. 1, 2023 Available at:
To supplement the bibliographic material so as to have a constant update of the constitutional systems of the countries studied, it is suggested to access the Ariel platform where documents, diagrams and web references are uploaded as well as the updated text of the main European constitutions; a constitutional update of the countries concerned can be found also on the website www.nad.unimi.it (New Authoritarian Regimes and Democracies).
1. A. Di Gregorio (eds.), I sistemi costituzionali dei paesi dell'Europa centro-orientale, baltica e balcanica, Wolters Kluwer, Padova, 2019, chapters 1 and 2, Epilogue.
2. A. Di Gregorio, Dinamiche di contesto e caratteristiche generali della Legge di Emendamento della Costituzione della Russia del 14 marzo 2020, in Nuovi Autoritarismi e Democrazie, vol. 2, n. 1, 2020, https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/NAD/article/view/13788/12905;
3. A. Di Gregorio, Il presidenzialismo in Russia: da un modello ibrido a un sistema apertamente autoritario, in DPCE Online, n. 1, 2023 Available at:
Non attending:
1. A. Di Gregorio (a cura di), I sistemi costituzionaoli dei paesi dell'Europa centro-orientale, baltica e balcanica, Wolters Kluwer, Padova, 2019, chapters 1, 2 and 3, Epilogue
2. A. Di Gregorio, Dinamiche di contesto e caratteristiche generali della Legge di Emendamento della Costituzione della Russia del 14 marzo 2020, in Nuovi Autoritarismi e Democrazie, vol. 2, n. 1, 2020, https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/NAD/article/view/13788/12905;
3. A. Di Gregorio, Il presidenzialismo in Russia: da un modello ibrido a un sistema apertamente autoritario, in DPCE Online, n. 1, 2023 Available at:
To supplement the bibliographic material so as to have a constant update of the constitutional systems of the countries studied, it is suggested to access the Ariel platform where documents, diagrams and web references are uploaded as well as the updated text of the main European constitutions; a constitutional update of the countries concerned can be found also on the website www.nad.unimi.it (New Authoritarian Regimes and Democracies).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student is required to sit two intermediate tests. The first, held in the classroom, occurs at the end of the first module and consists of 3-5 open questions and lasts for 90 minutes. At the end of the course there will be an oral group presentation focused on the constitutional law of a specific country.
These intermediate tests demonstrate the students' capacity for analytical and critical thinking, team work as well as their ability to share and integrate the different aspects of the course materials. The written part of the exam tests the student's ability to use grammatically correct technical language in reflecting the content of the course.
The students will be evaluated on the basis of clarity and precision in written and oral forms with particular focus on the correct grammatical use of the specific vocabulary of constitutional law. The evaluation will assess the degree of active participation during lessons, seminars and other course activities. The final evaluation is not simply the average of the marks of the individual tests but also consider participation and attendance during the course (which can be worth 2-3 extra marks). The results will be communicated in either the classroom or via email a week after the tests. The marks are given out of 30.
These intermediate tests demonstrate the students' capacity for analytical and critical thinking, team work as well as their ability to share and integrate the different aspects of the course materials. The written part of the exam tests the student's ability to use grammatically correct technical language in reflecting the content of the course.
The students will be evaluated on the basis of clarity and precision in written and oral forms with particular focus on the correct grammatical use of the specific vocabulary of constitutional law. The evaluation will assess the degree of active participation during lessons, seminars and other course activities. The final evaluation is not simply the average of the marks of the individual tests but also consider participation and attendance during the course (which can be worth 2-3 extra marks). The results will be communicated in either the classroom or via email a week after the tests. The marks are given out of 30.
IUS/21 - COMPARATIVE PUBLIC LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Di Gregorio Angela
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
TUESDAY, 13.30/16.30 (può variare, si prega di inviare mail per concordare)
MICROSOFT TEAMS oppure stanza 5