Teaching Methodologies
Classes will be taught through the exposition of theoretical contents and their practical application.
Teaching and learning methodologies aim at the integrated development of students in the knowledge referred to in the syllabus and the
achievement of established objectives and skills. The use of a continuous assessment system implies active participation by students in
terms of study and oral intervention on the subjects taught. The teacher/student and student/student dialectics are accentuated, creating
synergies of bi-directional communication focused on reflection and discussion.
At the same time, we seek to resolve concrete legal problems, aiming to provide students with very close contact with legal reality.
The curricular unit has integrated into its dynamics the holding of lectures in conjunction with other curricular units.
Learning Results
The curricular unit provides the theoretical and practical basis necessary to understand the legal system, fundamental rights and
institutional structures that shape the legal life of a State. Therefore, through this curricular unit, the student should be able to:
a) Understand the foundations of Constitutional Law, exploring the essential concepts and the historical evolution of Brazilian
constitutionalism.
b) Know the Constitution’s guarantee mechanisms.
c) Understand the foundations of the Rule of Law and Democracy, allowing them to interpret and criticize legal and political issues in
accordance with these structuring principles.
d) Understand the importance of fundamental rights, know their typology and know how to interpret and apply them in the legal-social
context.
e) Understand the role and functioning of constitutional justice in the legal system, with a focus on guaranteeing constitutional supremacy
and protecting fundamental rights.
Program
Chapter I: Constitution and constitutionalism
1. Constitutional movements
2. Constitution: concept and functions
3. Constituent power
Chapter II: The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic
A. Genesis
1. The CRP in the context of the evolution of Portuguese constitutionalism
2. Constitutional moments
B. Characterization of CRP
1. Structure
2. Formal characteristics
3. Open constitutionalism
C. The evolution of CRP
1. Constitutional revisions
2. Guarantee of the Constitution and constitutional review
Chapter III: Structuring principles
1. Principle of the Rule of Law
2. Democratic Principle
3. Principle of Sociality
Chapter IV: Fundamental rights
1. Typology
2. General regime
3. Specific regime of rights, freedoms and guarantees
Chapter V – Constitutional Justice
1. Control models
2. Global Characterization of the Portuguese System
3. Control Parameter
4. Object of Control
5. Subjects of Control
6. Control Sanctions
7. Inspection Processes
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
– CANOTILHO, José Joaquim Gomes, Direito Constitucional e Teoria da Constituição, 7.ª Edição- Reimpressão, Almedina, 2021
– ANDRADE, José Carlos Vieira de, Os Direitos Fundamentais na Constituição Portuguesa de 1976, 6ª Edição, Almedina, 2019
– CANOTILHO José Joaquim Gomes, «Brancosos» e Interconstitucionalidade. Itinerários dos Discursos sobre a
Historicidade Constitucional, 2.ª edição, 2017, Editora Almedina.
– CANOTILHO, José Joaquim Gomes /MOREIRA, Vital, Constituição da República Portuguesa Anotada, vols. I e II, Almedina, 2014
– NOVAIS, Jorge Reis, Princípios Estruturantes de Estado de Direito, 2.ª edição, Almedina, 2022
– NOVAIS, Jorge Reis, Sistema Português da Fiscalização da Constitucionalidade, Lisboa, AAFDL 2023
– SOARES, Rogério, «O Conceito Ocidental de Constituição”, Revista de Legislação e de Jurisprudência,
1986.