Constitutional Law
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Aim of the course is to analyze the following issues: origin and history of the Italian modern state; legislative, executive, and judicial branches; the President of the Republic; Constitutional justice; sources of law before and after the process of European integration and the case law on the European Convention on Human Rights; rules of statutory interpretation; direct democracy tools; fundamental rights; Italian regional system.
At the end of the course the student will have an in-depth knowledge of the course topics. The student will also acquire a reasoning method suitable for dealing with more specific and complex legal issues.
At the end of the course the student will have an in-depth knowledge of the course topics. The student will also acquire a reasoning method suitable for dealing with more specific and complex legal issues.
Expected learning outcomes
· Knowledge and understanding: students shall know the fundamental aspects of the Italian constitutional law and the characters of its institutional structure;
· Applying knowledge and understanding: students shall be able to employ notions acquired during the course to the understanding of current events, ongoing case law and pending constitutional reforms;
· Making judgements: students shall be able to make accurate judgments on constitutional law issues;
· Communication: students shall be able to express notions and opinions correctly, using the appropriate terminology;
· Lifelong learning skills: students shall acquire good individual study skills.
· Applying knowledge and understanding: students shall be able to employ notions acquired during the course to the understanding of current events, ongoing case law and pending constitutional reforms;
· Making judgements: students shall be able to make accurate judgments on constitutional law issues;
· Communication: students shall be able to express notions and opinions correctly, using the appropriate terminology;
· Lifelong learning skills: students shall acquire good individual study skills.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Surname A-C
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The teaching program includes the following topics:
I semester:
- Origins and historical developments of the modern constitutional state and, in particular, of the Italian one (from the Albertine Statute to the Constitutional Charter);
- Forms of state and forms of government;
- The sources of law (Constitution, primary sources and acts having the force of law, regulations, international treaties and EU sources) and the criteria for resolving antinomies;
- Electoral systems;
- Parliament and parliamentary immunity;
II semester:
- Government and its formation;
- President of the Republic;
- Judicial power and the Superior Council of the Magistracy;
- The regions;
- Constitutional justice (incidental judicial review, the "giudizio costituzionale in via principale", the judgment of admissibility of the abrogative referendum, the conflicts between entities and powers);
- Fundamental rights (individual and collective freedom; social and economic freedom; political freedom)
The examination of constitutional law is preparatory to the examinations of all the disciplines of the following years.
I semester:
- Origins and historical developments of the modern constitutional state and, in particular, of the Italian one (from the Albertine Statute to the Constitutional Charter);
- Forms of state and forms of government;
- The sources of law (Constitution, primary sources and acts having the force of law, regulations, international treaties and EU sources) and the criteria for resolving antinomies;
- Electoral systems;
- Parliament and parliamentary immunity;
II semester:
- Government and its formation;
- President of the Republic;
- Judicial power and the Superior Council of the Magistracy;
- The regions;
- Constitutional justice (incidental judicial review, the "giudizio costituzionale in via principale", the judgment of admissibility of the abrogative referendum, the conflicts between entities and powers);
- Fundamental rights (individual and collective freedom; social and economic freedom; political freedom)
The examination of constitutional law is preparatory to the examinations of all the disciplines of the following years.
Prerequisites for admission
Essendo un esame del primo anno, primo semestre, non vi sono requisiti specifici differenti da quelli richiesti per l'accesso al corso di laurea.
Teaching methods
Teachers will use: a) lectures; b) thematic insights proposed to students c) self-assessment test d) materials published on the Ariel platform.
In the second semester, students will be able to participate in a competitive seminar organized jointly with the chair of Constitutional Law M-Q.
The students, divided into groups, will study a case and discuss it by simulating a trial before the Constitutional Court.
In the second semester, students will be able to participate in a competitive seminar organized jointly with the chair of Constitutional Law M-Q.
The students, divided into groups, will study a case and discuss it by simulating a trial before the Constitutional Court.
Teaching Resources
All students should prepare their examination in M. D'Amico, G. Arconzo, S. Leone, Lezioni di diritto costituzionale, FrancoAngeli, latest updated edition.
Students are also invited to consult the additional material that will be published in the course of the lectures on the teaching platform.
First-year students who intend to take the exam in two parts are invited to consult the division of the syllabus and related materials on the teaching platform.
Students should also prepare:
V. Onida - M. D'Amico, Il giudizio di costituzionalità delle leggi in via incidentale, Giappichelli, 2025, according to the instructions given during the lessons.
Students are also invited to consult the additional material that will be published in the course of the lectures on the teaching platform.
First-year students who intend to take the exam in two parts are invited to consult the division of the syllabus and related materials on the teaching platform.
Students should also prepare:
V. Onida - M. D'Amico, Il giudizio di costituzionalità delle leggi in via incidentale, Giappichelli, 2025, according to the instructions given during the lessons.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final test will be oral and the evaluation is expressed with a mark in thirtieths, with possible praise. The evaluation takes into account not only the acquisition of the contents of the teaching, but also the ability to organize discursively the knowledge of the subject.
For first year students the oral test may be taken in two parts:
- The first part must take place before the end of the winter session and will cover the topics taught in the first semester. The positive evaluation will remain until the last appeal of examination of the summer session;
-The second part, accessible only to those who have passed the first part of the previous winter session, must take place before the end of the summer session and will cover the topics taught in the second semester.
For students from the second year onwards, the exam must be taken orally, on the whole program.
With regard to the supplementary program in case of transition from the Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies to the one-cycle Master's Degree in Law, students will have to prepare the part related to freedom rights and constitutional justice. With reference to the textbook, the reference pages will be indicated on Ariel.
Class changes will only be granted if there are serious and proven reasons preventing students from attending the course. Students who wish to obtain a change of class will have to submit a request to the class Professor, mentioning the new class' professor requested. Once the incompatibility has been established and with the consent of the Professor of destination, the Professor of origin will issue the relevant certificate.
Erasmus students: no specific program.
For first year students the oral test may be taken in two parts:
- The first part must take place before the end of the winter session and will cover the topics taught in the first semester. The positive evaluation will remain until the last appeal of examination of the summer session;
-The second part, accessible only to those who have passed the first part of the previous winter session, must take place before the end of the summer session and will cover the topics taught in the second semester.
For students from the second year onwards, the exam must be taken orally, on the whole program.
With regard to the supplementary program in case of transition from the Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies to the one-cycle Master's Degree in Law, students will have to prepare the part related to freedom rights and constitutional justice. With reference to the textbook, the reference pages will be indicated on Ariel.
Class changes will only be granted if there are serious and proven reasons preventing students from attending the course. Students who wish to obtain a change of class will have to submit a request to the class Professor, mentioning the new class' professor requested. Once the incompatibility has been established and with the consent of the Professor of destination, the Professor of origin will issue the relevant certificate.
Erasmus students: no specific program.
IUS/08 - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - University credits: 13
Lessons: 91 hours
Professors:
D'Amico Maria Elisa, Liberali Benedetta Maria Cosetta
Surname D-L
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course is divided into two parts and covers the following topics:
First Semester: the constitutional system of legal sources, the introductory concepts of the State and legal system, as well as the fundamental principles concerning the organization of the judiciary and the exercise of judicial functions, will be examined.
Second Semester: the second part of the course will address topics related to forms of State and government, with a specific focus on regional autonomy; the structure and functions of constitutional bodies responsible for political direction; mechanisms of direct democracy and their relationship with representative democracy; the role and functions of constitutional safeguard institutions (namely, the President of the Republic and the Constitutional Court); fundamental freedoms and the legal mechanisms designed to protect them.
First Semester: the constitutional system of legal sources, the introductory concepts of the State and legal system, as well as the fundamental principles concerning the organization of the judiciary and the exercise of judicial functions, will be examined.
Second Semester: the second part of the course will address topics related to forms of State and government, with a specific focus on regional autonomy; the structure and functions of constitutional bodies responsible for political direction; mechanisms of direct democracy and their relationship with representative democracy; the role and functions of constitutional safeguard institutions (namely, the President of the Republic and the Constitutional Court); fundamental freedoms and the legal mechanisms designed to protect them.
Prerequisites for admission
Being a first-year, first-semester course, no additional prerequisites are required beyond those established for admission to the degree program.
Teaching methods
The instructors will employ: a) traditional lectures; b) thematic in-depth sessions (with particular focus on the analysis of constitutional case law).
Students will be provided with bibliographic and case law references, which will be published on the course platform. The slides used during lectures will also be made available.
During the second semester, a selected group of students will have the opportunity to participate in a "Competitive Seminar". Working in teams, students will study a case and present it in a simulated trial before the Constitutional Court.
Students will be provided with bibliographic and case law references, which will be published on the course platform. The slides used during lectures will also be made available.
During the second semester, a selected group of students will have the opportunity to participate in a "Competitive Seminar". Working in teams, students will study a case and present it in a simulated trial before the Constitutional Court.
Teaching Resources
For the exam, students are required to study the following textbook: M. D'Amico, G. Arconzo, S. Leone, Lezioni di diritto costituzionale, FrancoAngeli, latest updated edition, excluding the sections concerning the judiciary (cap. VII, sec. I, II, III, IV)
In addition, students must study: N. Zanon - F. Biondi, Il sistema costituzionale della magistratura, Zanichelli, 2024, pp. 1-133 and 153-177
Students are also strongly encouraged to refer to the Italian Constitution both during lectures and while preparing for the exam. Supplementary materials will be made available on the course platform and students should be consulted regularly. First-year students intending to take the exam in two parts are invited to consult the relevant syllabus division and corresponding materials on the course platform.
In addition, students must study: N. Zanon - F. Biondi, Il sistema costituzionale della magistratura, Zanichelli, 2024, pp. 1-133 and 153-177
Students are also strongly encouraged to refer to the Italian Constitution both during lectures and while preparing for the exam. Supplementary materials will be made available on the course platform and students should be consulted regularly. First-year students intending to take the exam in two parts are invited to consult the relevant syllabus division and corresponding materials on the course platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final assessment is conducted through an oral examination. The grade is awarded on a thirty-point scale, with the possibility of distinction (cum laude). Evaluation criteria include not only the student's understanding of the course content, but also their ability to articulate knowledge coherently and logically, demonstrate critical thinking, communicate clearly, and accurately use legal terminology.
Exclusively for first-year students, the oral exam may be taken in two parts:
▪ the first part must be taken by the end of the winter exam session and will cover the topics taught in the first semester. A positive grade obtained in this part will remain valid until the last exam session of the summer period;
▪ the second part, which may only be taken by students who have passed the first part during the winter session, must be completed by the end of the summer exam session and will cover the topics taught in the second semester.
First-year students may also choose to take the full exam in one sitting, rather than in two parts, but only starting from the summer session.
Students enrolled from the second year onward must take the full exam in a single sitting.
In the case of a transfer from the Degree in Scienze dei Servizi Giuridici to the Degree in Giurisprudenza, students will be required to study the sections on fundamental rights and constitutional justice.
Students who, due to serious and documented circumstances, are unable to attend lectures in their assigned course section may submit a written request for reassignment to the professor in charge of the course. The request must clearly state the reasons for the change and indicate the preferred section. If the request is deemed valid and the receiving professor grants consent, an official confirmation of the section change will be issued
No specific programs are provided for Erasmus students.
Exclusively for first-year students, the oral exam may be taken in two parts:
▪ the first part must be taken by the end of the winter exam session and will cover the topics taught in the first semester. A positive grade obtained in this part will remain valid until the last exam session of the summer period;
▪ the second part, which may only be taken by students who have passed the first part during the winter session, must be completed by the end of the summer exam session and will cover the topics taught in the second semester.
First-year students may also choose to take the full exam in one sitting, rather than in two parts, but only starting from the summer session.
Students enrolled from the second year onward must take the full exam in a single sitting.
In the case of a transfer from the Degree in Scienze dei Servizi Giuridici to the Degree in Giurisprudenza, students will be required to study the sections on fundamental rights and constitutional justice.
Students who, due to serious and documented circumstances, are unable to attend lectures in their assigned course section may submit a written request for reassignment to the professor in charge of the course. The request must clearly state the reasons for the change and indicate the preferred section. If the request is deemed valid and the receiving professor grants consent, an official confirmation of the section change will be issued
No specific programs are provided for Erasmus students.
IUS/08 - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - University credits: 13
Lessons: 91 hours
Professors:
Vimercati Benedetta, Zanon Nicolo'
Surname M-Q
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The teaching program includes the following topics:
I semester:
- Origins and historical developments of the modern constitutional state and, in particular, of the Italian one (from the Albertine Statute to the Constitutional Charter);
- Forms of state and forms of government;
- The sources of law (Constitution, primary sources and acts having the force of law, regulations, international treaties and EU sources) and the criteria for resolving antinomies;
- Representative democracy (electoral systems) and forms of citizen participation (referendums, bills and petitions);
- Organization and functions of Parliament.
- Political representation and parliamentary prerogatives.
II semester:
- Government: formation process and attributions
- President of the Republic;
- Supreme Judicial Council, organization and functions of the judiciary
- The regions;
- Constitutional justice (incidental judicial review, the "giudizio costituzionale in via principale", the judgment of admissibility of the abrogative referendum, the conflicts between entities and powers);
- Fundamental rights (individual and collective freedom; social and economic freedom; political freedom)
The examination of constitutional law is preparatory to the examinations of all the disciplines of the following years.
I semester:
- Origins and historical developments of the modern constitutional state and, in particular, of the Italian one (from the Albertine Statute to the Constitutional Charter);
- Forms of state and forms of government;
- The sources of law (Constitution, primary sources and acts having the force of law, regulations, international treaties and EU sources) and the criteria for resolving antinomies;
- Representative democracy (electoral systems) and forms of citizen participation (referendums, bills and petitions);
- Organization and functions of Parliament.
- Political representation and parliamentary prerogatives.
II semester:
- Government: formation process and attributions
- President of the Republic;
- Supreme Judicial Council, organization and functions of the judiciary
- The regions;
- Constitutional justice (incidental judicial review, the "giudizio costituzionale in via principale", the judgment of admissibility of the abrogative referendum, the conflicts between entities and powers);
- Fundamental rights (individual and collective freedom; social and economic freedom; political freedom)
The examination of constitutional law is preparatory to the examinations of all the disciplines of the following years.
Prerequisites for admission
Being an exam of the first year there are no specific prerequisites.
Teaching methods
During the course, the Professor will provide students with bibliographical and jurisprudential guidance on specific issues published on the teaching platform. Slides projected in class will be made available to students.
Students will be able to measure their preparation through self-assessment tests.
During the second semester, students will be able to participate in a "Competitive Seminar". Students will be asked to study a case and discuss it by simulating a trial before the Constitutional Court.
Students will be able to measure their preparation through self-assessment tests.
During the second semester, students will be able to participate in a "Competitive Seminar". Students will be asked to study a case and discuss it by simulating a trial before the Constitutional Court.
Teaching Resources
All students should prepare their examination in M. D'Amico, G. Arconzo, S. Leone, Lezioni di diritto costituzionale, FrancoAngeli, last edition available.
Students are also invited to consult the additional material that will be published in the course of the lectures on the teaching platform.
First-year students who intend to take the exam in two parts are invited to consult the division of the syllabus and related materials on the teaching platform.
Students should also prepare, as an alternative:
1. N. Zanon - F. Biondi, Il sistema costituzionale della magistratura, Zanichelli, 2024, pp. 1-134 and 152 -173
2. M. D'Amico, Words that separate. Linguaggio, Costituzione, Diritti, Cortina Editore, 2023
Students are also invited to consult the additional material that will be published in the course of the lectures on the teaching platform.
First-year students who intend to take the exam in two parts are invited to consult the division of the syllabus and related materials on the teaching platform.
Students should also prepare, as an alternative:
1. N. Zanon - F. Biondi, Il sistema costituzionale della magistratura, Zanichelli, 2024, pp. 1-134 and 152 -173
2. M. D'Amico, Words that separate. Linguaggio, Costituzione, Diritti, Cortina Editore, 2023
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final test will be oral and the evaluation is expressed with a mark in thirtieths, with possible praise. The evaluation takes into account not only the acquisition of the contents of the teaching, but also the ability to organize discursively the knowledge of the subject.
For first year students the oral test may be taken in two parts:
- The first part must take place before the end of the winter session (February 2026) and will cover the topics taught in the first semester. The positive evaluation will remain until the last appeal of examination of the summer session (September 2026);
-The second part, accessible only to those who have passed the first part of the previous winter session, must take place before the end of the summer session (September 2025) and will cover the topics taught in the second semester.
It is still possible to take the exam without dividing it into two parts starting from the summer session (from June 2025).
For students from the second year onwards, the exam must be taken orally, on the whole program.
In case of transition from the Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies to the one-cycle Master's Degree in Law, students need to prepare the part related to freedom rights and constitutional justice.
Class changes will only be granted if there are serious and proven reasons preventing students from attending the course. Students who wish to obtain a change of class will have to submit a request to the class Professor, mentioning the new class' professor requested. Once the incompatibility has been established and with the consent of the Professor of destination, the Professor of origin will issue the relevant certificate.
Erasmus students: no specific program.
For first year students the oral test may be taken in two parts:
- The first part must take place before the end of the winter session (February 2026) and will cover the topics taught in the first semester. The positive evaluation will remain until the last appeal of examination of the summer session (September 2026);
-The second part, accessible only to those who have passed the first part of the previous winter session, must take place before the end of the summer session (September 2025) and will cover the topics taught in the second semester.
It is still possible to take the exam without dividing it into two parts starting from the summer session (from June 2025).
For students from the second year onwards, the exam must be taken orally, on the whole program.
In case of transition from the Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies to the one-cycle Master's Degree in Law, students need to prepare the part related to freedom rights and constitutional justice.
Class changes will only be granted if there are serious and proven reasons preventing students from attending the course. Students who wish to obtain a change of class will have to submit a request to the class Professor, mentioning the new class' professor requested. Once the incompatibility has been established and with the consent of the Professor of destination, the Professor of origin will issue the relevant certificate.
Erasmus students: no specific program.
Surname R-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
I semester
- Italian historical constitutional developments: from the so-called "Albertine Statute" to the Republican Constitution
- Constitutional principles
- Form of government
- Direct democracy Institutions (except revocatory referendum)
- Parliament
- Government
- President of the Republic
- Judiciary
- Regions
II semester
- Sources of law
- Interpretation criteria
- Constitutional amendment procedure
- Primary legislation (included revocatory referendum)
- European sources of law
- Jurisprudential law
- Secondary legislation
- Constitutional Court
- Constitutional justice
- Fundamental rights
- Constitutional duties.
Integration programme moving from the Sciences of Legal Services bachelor to the single-cycle master of Law:
Students will be esaminated on Constitutional justice and Fundamental rights.
- Italian historical constitutional developments: from the so-called "Albertine Statute" to the Republican Constitution
- Constitutional principles
- Form of government
- Direct democracy Institutions (except revocatory referendum)
- Parliament
- Government
- President of the Republic
- Judiciary
- Regions
II semester
- Sources of law
- Interpretation criteria
- Constitutional amendment procedure
- Primary legislation (included revocatory referendum)
- European sources of law
- Jurisprudential law
- Secondary legislation
- Constitutional Court
- Constitutional justice
- Fundamental rights
- Constitutional duties.
Integration programme moving from the Sciences of Legal Services bachelor to the single-cycle master of Law:
Students will be esaminated on Constitutional justice and Fundamental rights.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite skills are required.
Teaching methods
Professors will use: a) lectures; b) thematic insights proposed to students available on the dedicated Ariel website (legislative and jurisprudential materials).
Even if the attendance is not mandatory it is warmly recommended.
Attending students could have the opportunity to participate to team competitions (such as simulation trials) and to visit Italian Institutions (Parliament, Constitutional Court, High Council of the Judiciary).
If serious reasons do not allow students to attend the lessons of this constitutional course, they can ask the professor for the permission to attend another constitutional course.
Even if the attendance is not mandatory it is warmly recommended.
Attending students could have the opportunity to participate to team competitions (such as simulation trials) and to visit Italian Institutions (Parliament, Constitutional Court, High Council of the Judiciary).
If serious reasons do not allow students to attend the lessons of this constitutional course, they can ask the professor for the permission to attend another constitutional course.
Teaching Resources
Students can prepare the exam on an updated edition of the textbooks of constitutional law on the market.
We suggest reading:
A. PISANESCHI, Diritto costituzionale, ed. Giappichelli, Torino, latest edition;
and
B. RANDAZZO, Access to Justice in a Multilevel Constitutional System, Protecting Human Rights, ed. Giappichelli, Torino 2023, Chapters I e II (pp. 1-74).
We suggest reading:
A. PISANESCHI, Diritto costituzionale, ed. Giappichelli, Torino, latest edition;
and
B. RANDAZZO, Access to Justice in a Multilevel Constitutional System, Protecting Human Rights, ed. Giappichelli, Torino 2023, Chapters I e II (pp. 1-74).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be oral. The assessment will take into account: the knowledge of the programme contents, the ability for critical reasoning and for comprehensive and thorough oral exam, the capacity to properly use the legal language.
At the end of the first semester, first year students can take a written exam lasting a total of 60 minutes and consisting of a multiple-choice test (15 questions in 30 minutes) and two open-ended questions (30 minutes) on the first part of the program. Additional time may be agreed for DSA students.
Each answer in the test is worth one point and the answers to the open questions are worth 10 points each.
Successful passing of the first part remains valid up to and including the September calls.
For those passing it, the final exam will regard exclusively the subjects studied in the second part of the course. The final mark will be just one.
First year students are allowed to pass the exam on the whole programme just starting from the May-September session.
N.B.
It will be necessary to take a preliminary test on the sources of law and the constitutional justice (15 multiple choice questions) lasting 30 ' (added time will be allowed for students with SLD) for the admission to the second part of the exam or to the whole exam. The result of the test does not preclude access to the oral exam, but contributes to the overall final evaluation. The preliminary test must be taken again in case of negative final evaluation of the oral exam.
At the end of the first semester, first year students can take a written exam lasting a total of 60 minutes and consisting of a multiple-choice test (15 questions in 30 minutes) and two open-ended questions (30 minutes) on the first part of the program. Additional time may be agreed for DSA students.
Each answer in the test is worth one point and the answers to the open questions are worth 10 points each.
Successful passing of the first part remains valid up to and including the September calls.
For those passing it, the final exam will regard exclusively the subjects studied in the second part of the course. The final mark will be just one.
First year students are allowed to pass the exam on the whole programme just starting from the May-September session.
N.B.
It will be necessary to take a preliminary test on the sources of law and the constitutional justice (15 multiple choice questions) lasting 30 ' (added time will be allowed for students with SLD) for the admission to the second part of the exam or to the whole exam. The result of the test does not preclude access to the oral exam, but contributes to the overall final evaluation. The preliminary test must be taken again in case of negative final evaluation of the oral exam.
IUS/08 - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - University credits: 13
Lessons: 91 hours
Professors:
Crivelli Elisabetta, Randazzo Barbara
Professor(s)
Reception:
Students can contact the teacher by e-mail to arrange for day and reception hours.
Teams platform