30048 - INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM - MODULE 2
Department of Law
Course taught in English
Course Director:
JUSTIN ORLANDO FROSINI
JUSTIN ORLANDO FROSINI
Classes: 14 (I sem.) - 15 (I sem.) - 16 (I sem.) - 17 (I sem.) - 18 (I sem.) - 19 (I sem.) - 40 (I sem.) - 41 (I sem.) - 42 (I sem.) - 43 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 14: GIUSEPPINA SCALA, Class 15: VIKTORIIA LAPA, Class 16: JUSTIN ORLANDO FROSINI, Class 17: VIKTORIIA LAPA, Class 18: GABRIELE MARINO NOBERASCO, Class 19: VALERIO LUBELLO, Class 40: ELISA BERTOLINI, Class 41: ELISA BERTOLINI, Class 42: ELISA BERTOLINI, Class 43: VALERIO LUBELLO
Class 14: GIUSEPPINA SCALA, Class 15: VIKTORIIA LAPA, Class 16: JUSTIN ORLANDO FROSINI, Class 17: VIKTORIIA LAPA, Class 18: GABRIELE MARINO NOBERASCO, Class 19: VALERIO LUBELLO, Class 40: ELISA BERTOLINI, Class 41: ELISA BERTOLINI, Class 42: ELISA BERTOLINI, Class 43: VALERIO LUBELLO
Suggested background knowledge
Note for exchange students: if you are interested in comparative public law we strongly advise you to sign up for course 30322 (or 30430 for advanced law students) because it is a single-section course that is much more suitable for exchange students than 30048 which is a multi-section course.
Mission & Content Summary
MISSION
What is the role of citizens within modern States and which are the main constitutional implications of social and historical phenomena on the development of the world as we know it? Comparative constitutional law addresses these issues while taking into account the different notions of legal norms, sovereignty and individuals throughout different normative contexts.
This course provides students with a structured introduction to the concepts, tools and methods of comparative constitutional law, while helping students to develop critical thinking by using both a synchronic and a diachronic approach to learning.
CONTENT SUMMARY
The course offers an overview of the main constitutional developments across the globe and it covers the following topics:
- Individual rights: Political, economic and civil rights and related safeguards in a comparative context.
- Forms of State and Forms of Government: Forms of State and Transitions to Democracy. Forms of Government
- Federalism, Regionalism and Devolution in a comparative context.
- Legal Sources
- Constitutional Justice: composition, role and functions of Constitutional and Supreme Courts. The fundamental aspects of American and European models of constitutional review. Classification of Court judgments and analysis of decision-making techniques.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
- Discuss the impact of major historical and philosophical events on the development of the constitutional structure of States.
- Identify the main elements characterizing constitutional systems across the globe.
- Explain the approach of different legal systems to individual rights and constitutional justice.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
- Explain the aims of combining a diachronic and synchronic approach to the study of constitutional law.
- Apply basic comparative methods to the understanding of constitutional law.
- Develop skills in legal reasoning.
Teaching methods
- Lectures
- Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
DETAILS
- We often have distinguished constitutional law scholars hosted at Bocconi and therefore we take this opportunity for them to give talks to our class on specific topics.
- Case studies in the field of constitutional law means examining judgments handed down by Constitutional and Supreme Courts and/or debating the current legal controversies.
Assessment methods
| Continuous assessment | Partial exams | General exam | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
x |
ATTENDING STUDENTS
The final written, closed book exam is based on the attending program and consists of a mix of closed questions.
This assessment method is aimed at verifying students' substantive knowledge of the main elements of the relevant constitutional systems, as well as the approach of different legal system towards individual rights.
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
The final written, closed book exam is based on the non-attending program and consists of a mix of closed questions.
This assessment method is aimed at verifying students' substantive knowledge of the main elements of the relevant constitutional systems, as well as the approach of different legal system towards individual rights.
Teaching materials
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Assigned readings, book chapters, class notes and slides.
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
All the chapters of G.F. Ferrari (ed.), Introduction to Italian Public Law, Giuffrè, Milan, 2022 and of P. Leyland, The Constitution of the United Kingdom. A Contextual Analysis, Bloomsbury, Oxford, 2026
Last change 26/05/2026 11:39