| CODE | PPG1003 |
| TITLE | The Constitutional Development of Malta |
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course |
| MQF LEVEL | 5 |
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 |
| DEPARTMENT | Policy, Politics and Governance |
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit situates the recent history of Malta鈥檚 constitutional development in the framework of constitutional studies, seeking to understand what purpose constitutions serve, how they are formed and amended, and what forces affect their development. From this foundation, it then examines key themes in, and the institutional framework erected by, the Constitution of Malta. The third and final part of the study-unit examines Maltese constitutional history, with an accent on: (a) the constitution granted at independence in 1964; and (b) the two periods of intense and bi-partisan 鈥榗onstitution-making鈥� in 1974 and 1992-1997. The study-unit concludes by identifying the implications of Malta鈥檚 accession to the European Union, as well as recent constitutional changes. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to introduce constitutional studies and to trace the development of Malta鈥檚 constitution through a historical perspective. It analyses and debates the issues that gave rise to our modern-day constitution and the ideas which underpin it. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the nature of a country鈥檚 constitution and the social, economic, cultural and political forces that shape its development; - Recount the history of Malta鈥檚 constitutional development, particularly in the years following independence; - Identify recurring themes, issues and stresses in that history; and - Analyse current proposals for constitutional change. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Write analytical reviews of constitution-making episodes, past or proposed; - Debate the pattern of constitution-making in Malta from a variety of different perspectives; and - Analyse distinctive narratives of Maltese constitutional development (including narratives constructed by political parties or leaders). Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - The Constitution of Malta. - Cremona, J.J. 1997. The Maltese Constitution and Constitutional History Since 1813. Malta: PEG (2nd Edition). - Frankenberg, G. (2018). Comparative Constitutional Studies: Between Magic and Deceit. UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited. Supplementary Readings: - Borg, T. (2022). A Commentary on the Constitution of Malta (2nd edition). Malta: Kite Group. - Mifsud Bonnici, U. 1999. Kif Sirna Repubblika. Malta: Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza. - Pirotta, J. 1987 et seq. Fortress Colony: The Final Act, 1945-1964. (Vols I, II & III & IV) Malta: Studia Editions. - Attard, D J. (2015). The Maltese Legal System: Volume II - Constitutional and Human Rights Law Part A. Malta: University of Malta, Chapter 6. |
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar |
| LECTURER/S | Marguerite Camilleri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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