AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Course aims at comparing, in a synchronic and diachronic way, the different constitutional systems, by taking into account the legal texts of reference, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the institutional solutions, the possibility to transplant the latter ones in other contexts or using them to define institutional models. Furthermore, the Course is focused on helping students in trying to better understand the trends, at international level, relating to the development of national legal systems, also in the light of global phenomena as supranational organizations and the international protection of human rights. More focused surveys will closely look at specific national legal systems considered particularly significant also in relation to our domestic perspective. Its functional and organizational development will be taken into consideration as well as in relation to the protection of fundamental freedoms. Particular attention shall be devoted both to the use of languages and to the students' skill to find juridical resources.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the students with the cognitive and methodological tools necessary to understand how norms and institutions of global governance follow and respect the principles of constitutionalism and the dynamics concerning the efforts to establish common rules on a global scale.

Class attendance and individual study will enable the student to:

- acquire the specific vocabulary of the discipline, also in order to be able to examine and understand the scientific literature in English language;

- identify the fundamental values, principles and basic concepts characterizing constitutionalism, from its first manifestations and the great liberal revolutions to the construction of contemporary constitutional democracies;  

- acquire a rational and dynamic vision concerning the application of the core values of constitutionalism not only in the context of the State Constitution but also in the interpretation and development of the law beyond the State;

- use the knowledge of the theoretical elements for a critical evaluation of the respect in the constitutional systems of common standards related to rule of law, democracy and human rights.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

The course will consist of lectures for a total of 36 hours (6 CFU), during which the topics of the program will be presented analytically. Some seminars could be carried out together with Italian or foreign experts, in order to deepen subjects of particular interest or current issues.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs and having complied with Unige procedures (described here) who need compensatory measures to prepare the exams or during the exams are invited to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on any teaching methods that, in accordance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning styles. For requesting Unige services for students with disabilities and other information, please visit https://giurisprudenza.unige.it/serv_disabili. For further information, please visit https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa and contact the Department's disability liaison officer (isa.fanlo@unige.it).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will cover the following topics, using the comparative method:

- Constitutions, constitutionalism, global constitutionalism

- Multilevel protection of fundamental rights

- Global constitutionalism and democracy

- Digital sovereignty, Internet, new technologies and global constitutionalism

- Perspectives on global constitutionalism and decentralization process

- Global climate constitutionalism; human rights and climate change litigations.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attending students (who have attended at least 75% of the lessons): learning materials (slides, lecture notes, legal references, jurisprudence and in-depth reading) uploaded on Aulaweb.

Non-attending students: learning materials (slides, lecture notes, legal references, jurisprudence and in-depth reading) uploaded on Aulaweb in a special folder.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will take place during the first semester of the academic year 2026/2027 (according to the calendar and timetabel available on EasyAcademy-Unige).

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For attending and non-attending students, the exam consists of a written test lasting one hour, structured as a multiple-choice test. Students must register for the exam online within the specified time frame. Failure to register will result in the inability to take the exam.

The exam committee is chaired by the professor teaching the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam is designed to assess knowledge of the topics covered in the course.

For each question, a correct answer is worth 1 point, while incorrect or unanswered questions are worth 0 points. The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18 points. The final grade is expressed out of thirty and is based on the score obtained in the test. Distinction (“lode”) may be awarded to students who achieve the maximum score and correctly answer two additional questions aimed at verifying a particularly in-depth knowledge of the course topics. The results of the test are made available to students through the University’s IT systems. Interested students may request to view their test paper and the related correction according to the procedures indicated by the professor.

Students having a valid certification of disability or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) and having complied with Unige procedures (described here) may request the use of compensatory measures during the exams (e.g. additional time and/or concept maps). In any case, for further information, please contact the Department’s disability liaison: Isa.Fanlo@unige.it

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students are invited to register for the course on Aulaweb.