Constitutional and Media Law
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of constitutional law and information law, through a program structured into four modules. The course is designed to develop a critical understanding of key legal concepts and the functioning of constitutional bodies, while also addressing issues related to data protection and the regulation of the digital society. Particular emphasis is placed on fostering an independent ability to read and interpret legal texts, as well as on the historical, social, and technological contextualization of the norms, in order to strengthen the ability to make interdisciplinary connections with other subjects in the degree program.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to: A) know and understand fundamental legal concepts; the functioning of constitutional bodies; the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Italian Constitution; the distribution of competences between the State and territorial autonomies; the principles and regulations governing data protection and the digital society; B) apply the acquired knowledge, developing an independent ability to read and interpret constitutional and legal norms; C) develop critical thinking and judgment regarding the historical, social, and technological evolution of constitutional law and the emerging issues related to current political and technological changes; D) communicate using appropriate legal language and presenting well-reasoned arguments on the topics covered during the course; E) continue studying independently, consolidating skills for the critical deepening of legal topics and for interdisciplinary dialogue.
Lesson period: Second trimester
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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course program is divided into an institutional part, corresponding to the first three modules, and a monographic part, corresponding to the fourth module.
The institutional part covers the following topics: introduction to the concept of law and legal system; forms of state and forms of government; the birth of the Republic and the constituent phase; Italy and the European Union; the fundamental principles of the Italian Constitution (Articles 1-12); the form of government in the Italian Constitution; electorate, electoral systems and referendums; Parliament and its functions; formal law and the legislative process; the constitutional amendment process; the formation of the Government and its functions; government acts with the force of law; government regulations; organization of administrative bodies and independent authorities; the President of the Republic and his functions; the judiciary; distribution of competences between the State, the Regions and local authorities; constitutional justice; fundamental rights and freedoms; the system of legal sources; fundamental rights and duties.
The monographic part focuses on the study of data protection law and the regulation of the digital society, with particular attention to the following regulations: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); Data Governance Act (DGA); Digital Services Act (DSA); Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The institutional part covers the following topics: introduction to the concept of law and legal system; forms of state and forms of government; the birth of the Republic and the constituent phase; Italy and the European Union; the fundamental principles of the Italian Constitution (Articles 1-12); the form of government in the Italian Constitution; electorate, electoral systems and referendums; Parliament and its functions; formal law and the legislative process; the constitutional amendment process; the formation of the Government and its functions; government acts with the force of law; government regulations; organization of administrative bodies and independent authorities; the President of the Republic and his functions; the judiciary; distribution of competences between the State, the Regions and local authorities; constitutional justice; fundamental rights and freedoms; the system of legal sources; fundamental rights and duties.
The monographic part focuses on the study of data protection law and the regulation of the digital society, with particular attention to the following regulations: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); Data Governance Act (DGA); Digital Services Act (DSA); Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prior knowledge is required. The course is accessible to all students
Teaching methods
TThe course is divided into an institutional part and a monographic part. The institutional part is designed to provide students with a basic preparation in public and constitutional law. The main teaching method is lecture-based, with a textual approach focusing on the direct analysis of legal texts. Students are required to consult the Italian Constitution and the laws indicated during the lessons, all of which are available online. Students who wish may also obtain an updated constitutional code (see Bibliography). The monographic part focuses on the study of current and evolving legal issues. In particular, it addresses the regulation of the digital society, with in-depth analysis of personal data protection laws and of the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), and Data Governance Act (DGA). The lessons are supported by slides, which are made available online through the Ariel platform at the beginning of the course.
Teaching Resources
For the institutional part:
P. Bilancia, E. De Marco (eds.), L'ordinamento della Repubblica. Le Istituzioni e la Società, CEDAM, Padua, 2021.
For the monographic part:
F. Pizzetti, S. Calzolaio, A. Iannuzzi, E. Longo, M. Orofino, La regolazione europea della società digitale, Giappichelli, Turin, 2024 (chapters I, II, V, VI and VII).
Additional legal texts and case law materials will be made available through the Ariel platform.
P. Bilancia, E. De Marco (eds.), L'ordinamento della Repubblica. Le Istituzioni e la Società, CEDAM, Padua, 2021.
For the monographic part:
F. Pizzetti, S. Calzolaio, A. Iannuzzi, E. Longo, M. Orofino, La regolazione europea della società digitale, Giappichelli, Turin, 2024 (chapters I, II, V, VI and VII).
Additional legal texts and case law materials will be made available through the Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning will be assessed through a single oral examination.
The exam consists of an oral interview on the topics covered in the syllabus, aimed at evaluating:
- the student's level of knowledge of the course content;
- argumentative and critical thinking skills;
- command of legal terminology.
The exam consists of an oral interview on the topics covered in the syllabus, aimed at evaluating:
- the student's level of knowledge of the course content;
- argumentative and critical thinking skills;
- command of legal terminology.
IUS/09 - PUBLIC LAW - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Galbersanini Chiara, Orofino Marco
Professor(s)