Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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DRHO2132 - Human Rights and the Information Society


USL-B


Credits : 4

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

Language of instruction :
French

Learning outcomes :
The goal of this course is to measure the impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms of information and communication technologies (ICT), which characterises the information society. This development indeed presents new challenges for human rights and freedoms: putting into question the individuals' right to privacy, the freedom of information and communication, the freedom of movement, the political rights (right to vote).

Prerequisites :
None

Co-requisites :
None

Course contents :
Introduction: what is the "information society"?
1. Information and communication technologies and new challenges for human rights and freedoms: putting into question individuals' right to privacy, the freedom of information and communication, the freedom of movement, the political rights (right to vote)
2. Evolution of the concept of privacy in the doctrines and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights
3. The protection of data of a personal nature: international recognition; European directive
4. Trans-border data flows
5. Privacy and new surveillance techniques: video surveillance, geolocation, RFID chips, biometrics
6. Internet and privacy: traces related to navigation, spam, cookies
7. Freedom of expression on Internet

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course methodology mixes lectures and case studies.

Assessment methods and criteria :
Assessment is by means of an oral examination. This examination can be replaced by a written assignment on a topic chosen among the designated list which is made available to students or on a topic proposed by the student.

Recommended or required reading :
None

Other information :
The students have at their disposal a collection of texts and documents; the slide presentation is made available to students via the course website.