00236 - Comparative Public Law (A-L)

Learning outcomes

This course's aims are:

· to make students familiar with the basic aspects of contemporary constitutionalism in Western democracies, countries in transition to democracy and beyond;

· to show them that, by revealing how other systems address similar problems, comparative constitutional law gives us a better purchase on our own legal system and legal culture;

· to push them to evaluate the foundations of individual legal systems: the assumptions, choices and values that have formed them;

· to provide them with a critical understanding of the strengths and limits of constitutional law in regulating social and political processes.

Course contents

The course consists in a general part and in a special part.

• General Part: forms of state and forms of government; the constitution and its dynamics; the liberal democratic State; federalism and regionalism; the constitutional protection of human rights; authoritarian and hybrid regimes.
  

• Special Part I: Reproductive Rights in Comparative Constitutional Law
• Special Part II: Conflicts over Religious Symbols in the Public Sphere

Readings/Bibliography

• GIUSEPPE DE VERGOTTINI, Diritto costituzionale comparato, decima edizione (Padova, Cedam, 2019). Pages 215-231, 325-345, 561-662 are excluded.

• SUSANNA MANCINI, Un affare di donne. L'aborto tra eguale libertà e controllo sociale (Padova, Cedam, 2012).

• On-line materials

Three credits "integrazione"

• SUSANNA MANCINI, Un affare di donne. L'aborto tra eguale libertà e controllo sociale (Padova, Cedam, 2012).

One credit "integrazione"

• European Court of Human Rights, Lautsi c. Italia

• http://issuu.com/duit/docs/duit_-_traduzione_integrale_sentenza_lautsi_c._ita

Teaching methods

It must be underlined that, in the light of the current COVID-19 emergency, courses taking place during the first semester will be taught in presence, with the possibility to attend classes also on-line.

Those students wishing to attend classes in presence must register through the "Presente" app (https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/online-services/online-services-for-students-1/guide-to-online-student-services/presente-1) and must hold the Covid-19 "Green Pass" (for further information see: https://www.unibo.it/en/university/covid-19-The-measures-adopted-by-the-University-of-Bologna/lessons-exams-internships).

Since the course takes place during the first semester, the exam can only be taken starting with January 2022

Important: Only students who are regularly enrolled can take the exam.

Assessment methods

In the light of the current COVID-19 emergency, the final grade will be determined in the light of a final paper. Students will be asked to respond to three questions concerning three different parts of the program. The questions can be found on-line in the platform "Virtual Learning Environment", in the section called "Materiali per esame scritto".

While assessing the paper the following elements will be taken into consideration:

• originality and coherence
• correct use and quotation of sources
• the text must be correct both from a formal and substantial standpoint
• plagiarism check 

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Biagi

See the website of Susanna Mancini