Parliamentary Law
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The purpose of this course is to provide students with
the fundamental juridical notions and tools in order to understand the complex framework that characterizes the political and institutional relationships developed in and between the two Legislative Assemblies and the other powers of the State.
Specific issues may be studied in seminar meetings regarding the most current topics.
At the end of the course, the student will have an in-depth knowledge of the topics and will also acquire a reasoning method suitable to deal with more specific and complex legal issues.
the fundamental juridical notions and tools in order to understand the complex framework that characterizes the political and institutional relationships developed in and between the two Legislative Assemblies and the other powers of the State.
Specific issues may be studied in seminar meetings regarding the most current topics.
At the end of the course, the student will have an in-depth knowledge of the topics and will also acquire a reasoning method suitable to deal with more specific and complex legal issues.
Expected learning outcomes
According to the guidelines of the Dublin descriptors, the aim of this course is to provide the students with:
- the knowledge of the organization and functioning of the two Italian Chambers and the institutional relationships with the other powers of the State.
- the ability to understand, through systematic reading, the constitutional, legislative and regulatory provisions, which outline the activity of the Italian Parliament, and the central role played by political practice and dynamics in this particular disciplinary field.
- the ability to critically analyze the issues examined and to interpret the principles and rules studied and to apply them to case studies.
- the ability to argue interpretative ideas autonomously using an appropriate level of technical language.
- the ability to reconstruct the historical evolution of Parliamentary Law and to learn in a way that allows them to continue autonomously in their studies.
- the knowledge of the organization and functioning of the two Italian Chambers and the institutional relationships with the other powers of the State.
- the ability to understand, through systematic reading, the constitutional, legislative and regulatory provisions, which outline the activity of the Italian Parliament, and the central role played by political practice and dynamics in this particular disciplinary field.
- the ability to critically analyze the issues examined and to interpret the principles and rules studied and to apply them to case studies.
- the ability to argue interpretative ideas autonomously using an appropriate level of technical language.
- the ability to reconstruct the historical evolution of Parliamentary Law and to learn in a way that allows them to continue autonomously in their studies.
Lesson period: Second semester
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 semester
Course syllabus
This course will focus on the following topics:
- the concept of political representation, with particular regard to the issue of the free mandate and of the relationship between MPs, parliamentary groups and political parties.
- the relationship between direct and representative democracy.
- the electoral system.
- the sources of Parliamentary Law and the impact of changes in parliamentary regulations on the form of government.
- the declinations of parliamentary autonomy.
- the prerogatives of immunity and inviolability, with regard to the most recent cases and to the regulation on wiretapping.
- the organization of the Chambers, with particular attention to the evolution of the role of the Presidents of the Assembly.
- the planning of parliamentary agenda.
- the legislative procedure, with particular attention to the conversion into law of law decrees.
- the conflicts arising from allocation of powers of the State attributions between powers of the state raised by the member of the Parliament to protect his/her prerogatives
- the concept of political representation, with particular regard to the issue of the free mandate and of the relationship between MPs, parliamentary groups and political parties.
- the relationship between direct and representative democracy.
- the electoral system.
- the sources of Parliamentary Law and the impact of changes in parliamentary regulations on the form of government.
- the declinations of parliamentary autonomy.
- the prerogatives of immunity and inviolability, with regard to the most recent cases and to the regulation on wiretapping.
- the organization of the Chambers, with particular attention to the evolution of the role of the Presidents of the Assembly.
- the planning of parliamentary agenda.
- the legislative procedure, with particular attention to the conversion into law of law decrees.
- the conflicts arising from allocation of powers of the State attributions between powers of the state raised by the member of the Parliament to protect his/her prerogatives
Prerequisites for admission
Passing the exam in Constitutional Law is a prerequisite for the exam in Parliamentary Law.
Teaching methods
The course is mainly seminar-based. The theoretical lessons will include the examination of cases taken from parliamentary practice or the Constitutional Court's decisions. If agreed with the teacher, attending students will have the opportunity to present reports on specific topics or controversial issues.
If possible, a visit to Parliament will be organized, with a lecture of an expert parliamentary official.
If possible, a visit to Parliament will be organized, with a lecture of an expert parliamentary official.
Teaching Resources
N. Lupo - L. Gianniti, Corso di diritto parlamentare, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2023.
Attending students are invited to check the teaching material that will be uploaded to the online platform Ariel.
Attending students are invited to check the teaching material that will be uploaded to the online platform Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be oral.
Attending students will have to exclusively study the topics raised in class. These will correspond to the specific parts of the book indicated by the teacher at the beginning of the course. Furthermore, any work done during the course: report or optional written tests will contribute to the evaluation.
Non-attending students will have to study the entire book.
Erasmus students: there are no specific topics or specific examination methods. However, Erasmus students may agree with the teacher to carry out a report on the comparison between some aspects of the parliamentary organization of their own country and of the Italian Parliament.
Attending students will have to exclusively study the topics raised in class. These will correspond to the specific parts of the book indicated by the teacher at the beginning of the course. Furthermore, any work done during the course: report or optional written tests will contribute to the evaluation.
Non-attending students will have to study the entire book.
Erasmus students: there are no specific topics or specific examination methods. However, Erasmus students may agree with the teacher to carry out a report on the comparison between some aspects of the parliamentary organization of their own country and of the Italian Parliament.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)