OVERVIEW

The course focuses on the study and analysis of the fundamental institutions of Italian public law.

Through an examination of the constitutional text and the sources of law derived from it, the course will focus on the relationship between the State and the community (forms of State), its internal structure (forms of government), as well as, from an internal perspective, its relationship with territorial autonomies and, from an external perspective, its relationship with European Union constraints and international obligations. Particular attention will also be paid to the examination of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The elearning otcomes of the course are to enable first-year students to:

a) understand the functioning of the fundamental institutions of Italian public law;

b) apply this knowledge to the specific areas of public law related to social services;

c) acquire the essential legal language and mindset.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance, active participation in class, and individual study will enable students to:

Understand the functioning of the fundamental institutions of public law, with particular attention to the organization of public authorities, the system of sources of law, and rights in general, with a specific focus on the right to health and the right to social assistance;
Use this knowledge with reference to the specific sector of social services;
Identify the main public sources of the Italian legal system and understand their scope of application;
Understand the structure and functioning of the Italian constitutional and administrative system and be aware of the meaning and relevance of individual rights;
Acquire essential legal language and mindset;
Critically evaluate current historical, legal, and political and social issues.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures, for a total of 54 hours. The first part of the course will focus on the fundamental principles of Italian public law, with particular attention to forms of state and government, the organization of public authorities, and the system of sources of law. The second part of the course will focus on rights in general, and specifically the right to health and social assistance.

Students are advised to register on Aulaweb, where course materials and any notices (for example, exam date changes) will be uploaded. Interested students, in agreement with the instructor, may also propose and present to the class rulings or other issues requiring further study.

Occasionally, officials, scholars, and experts may be invited to give lectures on topics of particular interest and relevance, also to allow students to gain a greater understanding of the practical and practical aspects of the subject matter.

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, indicatively and not exhaustively (and not necessarily in the order indicated here), the following topics:

General outlines of the theory of legal order and interpretation
Forms of state and forms of government
The Republican Constitution: origins, structure, and defining features
The system of sources and its developments
Democracy, representation, and forms of direct participation at various levels
Electoral systems: general concepts and current legislation
Parliament
The President of the Republic
The Government and public administration
The judiciary and the CSM
Territorial autonomies
Relations with the international legal system and the European Union
Constitutional and supranational justice
Constitutionally guaranteed rights and liberties
Focus on the right to health and the right to social assistance

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For attending students:

1) Books:

R. Bin, G. Pitruzzella, Constitutional Law, Turin, Giappichelli, latest edition (chapters indicated in class)

or

C. Pinelli, Public Law, Bologna, Il Mulino, latest edition (chapters indicated in class)

2) Mandatory additional readings:

F. Sorrentino, M. Francaviglia, Reflections on the Recent History of the Italian Constitution, Turin, Giappichelli, 2025.

3) Optional additional readings:

F. Sorrentino, The Sources of Italian Law, Padua, Cedam, latest edition.

Study of all the programs listed must be accompanied by a careful reading of the current Constitution.

For non-attending students:

1) R. Bin, G. Pitruzzella, Constitutional Law, Turin, Giappichelli, latest edition, or C. Pinelli, Public Law, Bologna, Il Mulino, latest edition (chapters indicated in class)

2) F. Sorrentino, M. Francaviglia, Reflections on the Recent History of the Italian Constitution, Turin, Giappichelli, 2025

3) F. Sorrentino, The Sources of Italian Law, Padua, Cedam, latest edition.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://giurisprudenza.unige.it/didattica_lezioni

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral.

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For students with certified DSA, disabilities, or other special educational needs, please note that requests for compensatory/exemptive measures for exams must be sent to the course instructor, the School contact, and the "Services for the inclusion of students with disabilities and DSA" (dsa@unige.it) at least 10 working days before the exam, as per the guidelines available at the link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the final exam, students will be asked to answer a certain number of questions on any section of the syllabus to assess their knowledge and ability to navigate the subject matter.

Evaluation will also include accuracy and precision of presentation, appropriate use of legal vocabulary, and, in particular, critical reasoning skills related to the topics studied.

In any case, the final exam grade will be determined based on a balanced and thoughtful assessment of overall preparation (for example, very serious gaps or misunderstandings cannot, in principle, be compensated for by a successful exam on other sections of the syllabus). This evaluation will also take into account the level of depth of study, especially if it includes the use of legal or case law materials uploaded by the instructor to Aulaweb.

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

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule (francesca.bailo@unige.it)