Fundamentals of Law and Technology (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

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.

Execution methods

The module is only available as a lecture course, which is organized every fall. The module is only available in full as 5 credits; flexible credits are not offered.

Accomplishment methods

To pass, the student must complete the following items:

1) Watching online lectures.
2) Completing a short workbook. The workbook contains questions on the topics discussed in the lectures.
3) Participating in live or online discussions. The discussions concern the questions presented in the workbook.
4) Writing an essay (min. 3000 words) on one of the available or personally chosen topics.

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.

Location and time

Moodle self-registration key: OTMEVAL0054

Please join the workspace for the current year!

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.