Political Systems, Individual Rights and Protection of Vulnerable Groups in Comparative Law
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
L'insegnamento si propone di fornire agli studenti un inquadramento comparatistico delle diverse aree geo-politiche e linguistico-culturali dal punto di vista della formazione dello Stato, delle dinamiche di articolazione del potere e della tutela dei diritti fondamentali nelle diverse tradizioni culturali (Europa occidentale, Europa centro-orientale, America Latina, Nord Africa, etc.). Una volta effettuata tale comparazione generale, l'insegnamento si focalizzerà sull'analisi puntuale delle diverse modalità di individuazione e protezione dei diritti dei gruppi vulnerabili (minoranze etnico-linguistiche, minoranze di genere, religiose, economico-sociali, minori, anziani, etc.) con riferimenti anche a casi concreti ed alle tutele fornite dalle corti nazionali e sovranazionali.
Expected learning outcomes
Capacità di conoscenza e comprensione: Al termine dell'insegnamento lo studente avrà acquisito le conoscenze utili a comprendere le dinamiche costituzionali delle diverse realtà culturali e geo-politiche in una prospettiva storico-comparativa e pratico-dinamica.
Capacità di applicare conoscenza e comprensione: Le conoscenze acquisite consentiranno allo studente di analizzare in maniera autonoma le caratteristiche costituzionali dei paesi e delle aree esaminate e di applicare anche a casi non espressamente esaminati in classe la metodologia di analisi appresa in termini di selezione dei casi, linguaggio specialistico e analisi dei testi normativi e giurisprudenziali.
Capacità di applicare conoscenza e comprensione: Le conoscenze acquisite consentiranno allo studente di analizzare in maniera autonoma le caratteristiche costituzionali dei paesi e delle aree esaminate e di applicare anche a casi non espressamente esaminati in classe la metodologia di analisi appresa in termini di selezione dei casi, linguaggio specialistico e analisi dei testi normativi e giurisprudenziali.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Module I
The constitutional evolution of fundamental rights protection. Fundamental rights protection in different cultural traditions (Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, North Africa). The international protection of fundamental rights.
Module II
The supranational protection of vulnerable groups and its constitutionalisation: ethnic and national minorities, minors, persons with disabilities, elderly people, persons deprived of their liberty, migrants, LGBTQ+ persons, women victims of violence.
The constitutional evolution of fundamental rights protection. Fundamental rights protection in different cultural traditions (Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, North Africa). The international protection of fundamental rights.
Module II
The supranational protection of vulnerable groups and its constitutionalisation: ethnic and national minorities, minors, persons with disabilities, elderly people, persons deprived of their liberty, migrants, LGBTQ+ persons, women victims of violence.
Prerequisites for admission
Before the beginning of the course, students are strongly recommended to carefully review basic notions related to Comparative Public Law (State systems, government systems, territorial organization), Contemporary History (the international order in the aftermath of WWI, in the interwar period, at the end of WWII and after the fall of Communist regimes), and EU Law.
Teaching methods
The first part of the course includes a series of lectures that allow students to acquire knowledge of fundamental concepts, which will be assessed in the mid-term test. The second part of the course - that will require a more active involvement of the students - will be focused on case studies. The participation of international and national scholars is also foreseen to acquire specific competences on current topics.
Teaching Resources
Module I
Attending students: Teaching material will be provided by the lecturer.
Non-attending students:
L. Pegoraro, A. Rinella, Sistemi costituzionali comparati, Giappichelli, Torino, 2017, pp. 50-88; 219-283.
Module II
Attending students: V. Lorubbio, M.G. Bernardini, Diritti umani e condizioni di vulnerabilità, Erickson, Trento, 2023, pp. 7-16; 69-94; 113-136; 153-170; 223-250; 265-286; 307-334.
Non-attending students:
V. Lorubbio, M.G. Bernardini, Diritti umani e condizioni di vulnerabilità, Erickson, Trento, 2023, pp. 7-16; 69-94; 113-136; 153-170; 223-250; 265-286; 307-334.
Additional material for non-attending students will be uploaded in MyAriel.
Attending students: Teaching material will be provided by the lecturer.
Non-attending students:
L. Pegoraro, A. Rinella, Sistemi costituzionali comparati, Giappichelli, Torino, 2017, pp. 50-88; 219-283.
Module II
Attending students: V. Lorubbio, M.G. Bernardini, Diritti umani e condizioni di vulnerabilità, Erickson, Trento, 2023, pp. 7-16; 69-94; 113-136; 153-170; 223-250; 265-286; 307-334.
Non-attending students:
V. Lorubbio, M.G. Bernardini, Diritti umani e condizioni di vulnerabilità, Erickson, Trento, 2023, pp. 7-16; 69-94; 113-136; 153-170; 223-250; 265-286; 307-334.
Additional material for non-attending students will be uploaded in MyAriel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students
Attending students will have the possibility to take an intermediate test on Module I (written examination). The intermediate test will assess acquired knowledge on Module I, students' ability to present an issue, and the ability to use an appropriate lexicon. In Module II, students will be more actively involved in lectures and they will be offered the possibility to attend seminars on current issues. The final examination (oral) is intended to test knowledge and new competencies acquired.
Attending students who do not take part in the intermediate test will be evaluated only through the final examination (oral).
Non-attending students
Non-attending students' knowledge, comprehension and critical thinking will be assessed through an oral test.
Attending students will have the possibility to take an intermediate test on Module I (written examination). The intermediate test will assess acquired knowledge on Module I, students' ability to present an issue, and the ability to use an appropriate lexicon. In Module II, students will be more actively involved in lectures and they will be offered the possibility to attend seminars on current issues. The final examination (oral) is intended to test knowledge and new competencies acquired.
Attending students who do not take part in the intermediate test will be evaluated only through the final examination (oral).
Non-attending students
Non-attending students' knowledge, comprehension and critical thinking will be assessed through an oral test.
IUS/21 - COMPARATIVE PUBLIC LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours