Fundamentals of Law and TechnologyLaajuus (5 cr)
Course unit code: OTMEVAL0054V24
General information
- Credits
- 5 cr
- Teaching language
- English
- Responsible person
- Mikko Huttunen
Objective
The primary objective of the module is to help the student understand and discuss the fundamental aspects of the relationship between law and technology.
The secondary objective is to facilitate learning in the specific courses belonging to the Law and Technology Program.
Content
The module encompasses the following topics:
- the concepts of regulation, law, and legislation
- the concepts of rules, standards, and principles
- the concept of technology: social construction and change (sociotechnical change)
- the distinctiveness and interdependency (co-dependency) of law and technology: technological and legal determinism, instrumentalism, and normativity
- regulation/governance of technologies (regulatory theory): typical legal issues created by technology and possible legal and other approaches to the issues, and
- the role of values in law and technology.
The topics are discussed from a general and critical perspective that is not bound to any single field of law nor the particularities of legal doctrine. Examples are provided from a wide range of phenomena, such as transportation, weapons, information and communications technology (ICT), and biotechnology. Technology is thus viewed as something not limited to ICT. This broad perspective also allows the students to discuss a wide range of topics in their essay.
The module is listed as an LLM level course, but it is also recommended for students at the LLB level who are interested in law and technology.
Qualifications
None. Studying the Introduction to Legal Informatics and other modules belonging to the Law and Tech package supports the learning objectives of the course.
Materials
The learning material consists of prerecorded lectures, the workbook made by students themselves, and literature. The students are themselves responsible for finding the sources they wish to use. Some essential sources are listed below, and supplementary sources may be found in databases like LUC Finna, HeinOnline and Westlaw, and by using search engines.
Further information
The module is evaluated 1–5 or fail.
The evaluation is primarily based on the essay, but the workbook is considered also.
The module is part of the Law and Tech Package.