Teacher(s)
Correa Harcus Ana Maria; Giacometti Mona (compensates Correa Harcus Ana Maria); Marique Enguerrand (compensates Correa Harcus Ana Maria); Strowel Alain (compensates Correa Harcus Ana Maria);
Language
English
Prerequisites
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
Once regarded as a niche specialization reserved for a handful of experts digital law has now become a discipline of crucial importance, cutting across all other areas of law. Essential for every (future) legal professional, it enables a deeper understanding of the realities of a world now shaped by technology, while fostering awareness of the ethical issues and technical challenges that characterize it.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| This course aligns with the programme’s learning outcomes (quoted below). The course aims to enable students to acquire some « specific legal knowledge » – in Belgian, European and international law – regarding the regulation of digital technologies, as well as other issues related to data, platforms, algorithms, and more. It covers areas of public, criminal, and private law, addressing both the perspective of objective law and that of subjective rights. The course also contributes to the development of « a solid grounding in the humanities and social sciences so that they are able to decode legal phenomena in a comprehensively inter-disciplinary perspective ». While it is a law course, it incorporates indeed an introduction to digital technologies and thereby aims to provide a refined understanding of the contemporary world. Finally, as the course is taught in English, it offers students an opportunity to develop their « ability to understand, study, and render theoretical content in a language other than French ». |
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Content
The content of the module is structured in 12 sessions of 2 hours. During the first session, students will be introduced to the concept of law and technology, to legal sources applicable to technology, the legal challenges of technology and to the technical concepts of data, algorithms/software and infrastructure.
The first part of the course will be devoted to examining how law regulates technologies, with a focus on secondary Union laws (even if national frameworks will also be discussed). The classes will therefore focus on privacy, cybercrimes, digital evidence, data law in Europe, on consumer protection, the Internet of Things, on regulation of artificial intelligence and on cybersecurity issues.
The second part of the course will focus on the regulation of digital operators and users, with a specific focus on the newly adopted Digital Services Act (with a focus on the provision of digital services and the liability of digital intermediaries in Europe).
The first part of the course will be devoted to examining how law regulates technologies, with a focus on secondary Union laws (even if national frameworks will also be discussed). The classes will therefore focus on privacy, cybercrimes, digital evidence, data law in Europe, on consumer protection, the Internet of Things, on regulation of artificial intelligence and on cybersecurity issues.
The second part of the course will focus on the regulation of digital operators and users, with a specific focus on the newly adopted Digital Services Act (with a focus on the provision of digital services and the liability of digital intermediaries in Europe).
Teaching methods
Before each lecture, students will be given readings (including case-law, legislations or scholarship), together with cases that will be solved during the class that will help them prepare the readings.
- The lectures will be built upon realistic case scenarios. In each lecture, the lecturers or their guests will first present the actual case study that will guide the teaching.
- Tools to foster interaction will also be embedded into the pedagogic approach (live polling, debates, etc.) Students will be called to participate actively in class.
Course materials are made available via Moodle. They are not mandatory: students’ personal notes may be sufficient, and will in fact usefully complement the provided materials. Consequently, attendance is highly recommended.
Classes and assessments take place in person.
Students may also be required to attend (online) conferences in addition to the lectures. These conferences will be debriefed in class.
- The lectures will be built upon realistic case scenarios. In each lecture, the lecturers or their guests will first present the actual case study that will guide the teaching.
- Tools to foster interaction will also be embedded into the pedagogic approach (live polling, debates, etc.) Students will be called to participate actively in class.
Course materials are made available via Moodle. They are not mandatory: students’ personal notes may be sufficient, and will in fact usefully complement the provided materials. Consequently, attendance is highly recommended.
Classes and assessments take place in person.
Students may also be required to attend (online) conferences in addition to the lectures. These conferences will be debriefed in class.
Evaluation methods
The assessment takes the form of a written exam.
Consistent with the learning outcomes targeted by the course, the exam may consist of multiple-choice questions and/or open-ended questions, including questions requiring the reproduction of key-concepts, critical reflection, and/or the resolution of practical cases.
Consistent with the learning outcomes targeted by the course, the exam may consist of multiple-choice questions and/or open-ended questions, including questions requiring the reproduction of key-concepts, critical reflection, and/or the resolution of practical cases.
Other information
A good command of English is required to fully engage with this course.
Bibliography
Les éléments bibliographiques pertinents sont indiqués dans les supports de cours.
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Law (shift schedule)
Bachelor of Laws (French-Dutch-English / Droit-Rechten-Laws)