78728 Law Tech Capstone 1

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Law
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): ((94 credit points of completed study in 94.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C04236 Juris Doctor OR 142 credit points of completed study in 142.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C04250 Juris Doctor Master of Business Administration OR 94 credit points of completed study in 94.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C04363 Juris Doctor Master of Intellectual Property OR 94 credit points of completed study in 94.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C04364 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Trade Mark Law and Practice) AND 70106c Principles of Public International Law AND 70107 Principles of Company Law) OR (94 credit points of completed study in 94.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C04320 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Professional Legal Practice AND 70106 Principles of Public International Law)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 76106 Technology Law, Policy and Ethics (Capstone 1)

Description

This subject explores the policy and ethical issues that arise in light of the impact that technology is having on the world and the role of lawyers in shaping policy and protecting vulnerable populations. Lawyers need to be adaptive and technically capable in response to these impacts. Ethical and policy issues arising from innovative technology pose new threats to our freedoms, privacy and security but also opportunities to use that technology to find solutions to some of the world's wicked problems. Technology also offers an opportunity to resolve some of the United Nations' problems in achieving its 22 Sustainable Development Goals. This subject engages with changes and challenges resulting from technological developments that could be addressed by the law including emerging legal technology which can erode the possibility for human review and oversight and technology that enables governments and private organisations to monitor our moves and listen to our conversations.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Identify and analyse policy and ethical considerations arising from recent technological advances and the policy response of governments and international organisations to these developments
2.	Evaluate new risk, obligations and ethical issues for the courts and practitioners arising from the use of technology in the delivery of justice and legal services and collaborate in groups and online to generate ideas and possible solutions to the challenges arising from new technologies
3.	Prepare and present lightning talks to the rest of the seminar
4.	Explore and critically reflect on the way that disruptive technologies challenge regulators across global jurisdictions, in particular the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the UN’s 22 Sustainable Development Goals
5.	Evaluate the capacity for existing statutory instruments to regulate policy issues raised by disruptive technologies

Teaching and learning strategies

Strategy 1 Student independent study to develop, deepen and consolidate knowledge and understanding of relevant issues.

Strategy 2 Student participation in interactive seminars.

Strategy 3 Students access material for self-directed learning and engage in student-led discussion on key topics on canvas.

Strategy 4 On going feedback through early low stakes tasks, and class discussion, as well as more feedback formative assessment tasks.

Subject Delivery: Three hour seminars once a week, over 12 weeks

Content (topics)

1 Key concepts in technology law, policy and ethics.

2 The law’s obligation to keep pace with technology.

3 Lawyers as advocates for vulnerable populations in a world disrupted by technology.

4 Blockchain (and other technological) solutions to the world’s wicked problems.

5 Privacy, policy and ethics in a digital global environment 6 Surveillance, smart phones, and sensors.

7 Regulating robots.

8 Law and ethics for adoption of autonomous weapons.

9 Emerging policy issues in technology law.

10 Ethical frameworks in technology law.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Preparation, Participation and Collaboration

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: .1, .1 and .1
Weight:	25%
Length:	900 words
Criteria:	Regular and active attendance and participation in seminars (SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, GAs 2, 3 and 5) Collaborative engagement in discussions and problem solving exercises; generating ideas, making decisions, resolving conflicts, adopting various roles and undertaking core leadership functions within a group discussion (SLOs 1, 2 & 4; GAs 3 & 5) Giving and receiving effective feedback on contributions and collaborative encounters (SLOs 2 & 4, GAs 3 & 5). Logical, succinct and persuasive oral presentation of findings and arguments to the class, often on behalf of their discussion group (SLOs 1, 2 & 4, GAs 3 & 5) Identification of relevant issues in the context of the subject themes (SLOs 1, 2 & 3, GA 3).

Assessment task 2: Lightning Talk

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3, 4 and 5 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: .1 and .1
Weight:	10%
Length:	500 words
Criteria:	Generates ideas and possible solutions to the challenges arising from new technologies (SLOs 3, 4 and 5, GA 3, 5). Prepares and presents a succinct, clear and relevant lightning talk (SLO3, GA 3, 5). Explores and critically reflects on the way that disruptive technologies challenge regulators across global jurisdictions, in particular the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the UN’s 22 Sustainable Development Goals (SLO4, GA 3). Provides constructive feedback to other students and reflects on feedback process in Lightning Talk fair (SLO3, GAs 3 & 5). Lightning Talk evidences professionalism and appropriate pace of presentation (SLO3, GAs 3 & 5)

Assessment task 3: Article (nominally for submission to The Conversation)

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: .1, .1 and .1
Weight:	20%
Length:	800 words
Criteria:	Introduction includes a clear thesis statement and outline (SLOs 1 & 5, GAs 2, 3 & 5) Identifies relevant issues (SLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5, GAs 2 & 3) Correct and persuasive application of rules and ethical frameworks (SLOs 1 & 5, GAs 2 & 3) Development of a sustained accessible argument (SLO1, GA 3) Critical analysis, evaluation and original insight (SLO5, GA 3) Reaching logical and supported conclusions (SLOs 1, 4 & 5, GAs 2 & 3) Succinct plain English academic expression referenced in accordance with AGLC (GA 5)

Assessment task 4: Policy Report

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: .1, .1 and .1
Weight:	45%
Length:	3000 words
Criteria:	Interpretation of the task (demonstrating understanding of the topic chosen and the nature of the task) (SLO1, SLO4, SLO5, GA3) Effective research strategy that identifies an appropriate range of legal, policy and other disciplinary sources (SLO4, SLO5, GA 3) Critical analysis and evaluation of the issues raised and concerns regarding technology and ethical frameworks (SLO2, SLO4, SLO5, GA2, GA3) Articulation of a clear, concise and coherent argument which is logically structured and supported by evidence (SLO4, SLO5, GA3, GA5) Level of insight and innovative thought about the manner in which laws regulating technology and policy operate at a domestic and global level (SLO1, SLO5, GA3) Effective report structure that guides the reader through the arguments and the evidence (SLO5, GA5) Clear written expression with correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling (SLO5, GA5) An appropriate bibliography and accurate and consistent referencing in accordance with AGLC and demonstration of judgment and responsibility in terms of academic integrity, in particular honest and complete acknowledgment of sources. (SLO5, GA5)

Minimum requirements

50% overall mark