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University of Padova

Understanding the Italian Legal System: Public Law and Public Institutions

University of Padova via FutureLearn

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Overview

The Italian legal system can seem complex to an outsider. Knowing a bit about its different public institutions and legislative powers will help you understand the system as a whole.

This seven-week course from the University of Padova will break down the legislative structure of the Republic of Italy. Starting with the constitution and moving through each level of government, you’ll gain an overview of the Italian democratic and legal system.

Discover the Italian constitution and its origins

The foundation of any legal system is its constitution. You’ll start the course with a definition of constitutionalism, and an introduction to some of the specificities of the Constitution of Italy.

You’ll look at case studies comparing the UK, US, and Italian constitutional systems.

Get to grips with public institutions and legislative powers in Italy

The Italian legal system depends on the separation of powers. That means that governance is divided between three levels: the Legislative Power, Executive Power and Judiciary Power.

In Weeks 3 to 6 of the course, you’ll be guided through the different levels of government in Italy and their functions.

Consider Italy from the perspective of comparative public law

Throughout the course, you’ll take a comparative approach to public law by considering the Italian system in relation to other countries. You’ll be invited to share insights about your own legal system with other learners on the course.

By the end of the seven weeks, you’ll have gained a comprehensive overview of the Italian legal system and a deeper understanding of the system in your own country.

The videos of this Course are now also available with Spanish and Chinese subtitles and transcriptions

This course is designed for anyone interested in understanding how the Italian legal system is structured and operates.

It will be particularly useful for students of law hoping to study in Italy or legal scholars who want to deepen their understanding of the specificities of Italian public law from a comparative perspective.

Syllabus

  • Constitutionalism: origins and contents
    • Getting started
    • The origin of democratic constitutions
    • The difference between rigid and flexible constitutions
    • Synthesis
  • The separation of powers
    • The separation of powers: basic concepts
    • Synthesis
  • The Legislative Power
    • The Italian Parliament
    • The functions of the Italian Parliament
    • The Head of State
    • Synthesis
  • The Executive Power
    • The Executive power in Italy
    • The Legislative power exercised by the government
    • Synthesis
  • The Judiciary Power
    • The Italian Judicial System
    • The Judiciary and the separation of power
    • Synthesis
  • Levels of Government
    • The Regional System
    • The Regions and the State
    • Synthesis
  • Protecting the Constitution: the Constitutional Court
    • The structure of the Constitutional Court
    • The main functions of the Constitutional Court
    • Synthesis

Taught by

Sergio Gerotto

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