Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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DRAN1360 - Law and Tech Governance


USL-B


Credits : 5

Lecturers :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , second term, 30 hours of theory.

Timetable :
Second term
Wednesday from 17:15 to 19:15 at 119 Marais 3300

Language of instruction :
English

Learning outcomes :
At the end of this module, the students shall be able:
- to identify and understand the challenges of digitalization and to critically assess both existing frameworks as well as proposals for reforms that include digital dimensions; and
- to master the main legal instruments pertaining to digital activities; and
- to use legal skills acquired in other learning activities and apply them in a digital context; and
- to solve frequent legal issues occurring in the digital sphere; and
- to improve their understanding of the role(s) and use(s) of the law in a democratic society; and
- to express a personal opinion on a “law and tech” topic that is discussed in the news


Prerequisites :
For the Bachelor in Law :

For the Bachelor in Law (Evening Programme) :

For the Bachelor in Political Sciences: General :


Co-requisites :
Course contents :
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).

A wrap-up session will discuss how to build trust in the digital sphere.


Planned learning activities and 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.

Students may also be required to attend (online) conferences in addition to the lectures. These conferences will be debriefed in class.



Assessment methods and criteria :
In the first session of exams, the evaluation will occur in three parts (subject to the actual group size):
- A first part of the evaluation (70%) will occur through a take-home exercise that shall be carried out individually (or in groups of 2 if the amount of students attending the class is too high). This part assesses the fundamental learning outcomes that student should master. Students will be asked to submit a short paper pertaining to one or several of the concepts examined during the lecture and to present it on the day of the final exam.
- The second part of the evaluation (30%) is a traditional oral exam, with one or two punctual questions (with no preparation time)


Recommended or required reading :
- Law & Policy Platform Glossary, https://platformglossary.info/about-the-authors/
- A. Savin, EU Internet Law, Edward Elgar, 2020 (optional)