Current Issues in Law and Justice (11263.1)

This unit examines selected issues in law and justice. It is offered as an elective unit to LLB and B Justice students, and may be associated with an overseas study tour in either Summer or Winter term. The unit's content will thus vary from semester to semester depending on the interests and availability of staff. The approved offering for each term will be advertised to students in advance of its availability.

This unit may be co-taught with a G version of the unit.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Explain the working of relevant laws in the selected field, the policy behind the law and its place in the system of justice;
2. Explain the implications of legal issues in the selected field, including where relevant international obligations in that field; and
3. Critically analyse and solve problems in the selected field and to explore particular topics in the selected field in depth.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas

Skills development

Law 3:0 – Regulating the future.

Unit Description:

This unit explores current issues in law and justice through the interface between law, regulation, and technology. It will explore the challenges around regulating new and emerging technologies, and how mechanisms for influencing technological development such as professional norms, ethical frameworks, and technological standards can interact. The unit will identify and analyse challenges that new developments in technology (such as artificial intelligence and automated systems) may pose to how we understand what law is, what law regulates, and how. The unit will include case study consideration of current substantive problems such as data collection, sharing and use (privacy laws, commercial and other surveillance, social credit contracts); the regulation of automated decision-making and artificial intelligence and its impact on individual rights and disadvantaged groups; and robots. A background in science and information technology is not assumed or required; information about technologies considered will be provided.

Prerequisites

This unit is only available to students in a Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Justice Studies course.

Students must have passed at least 36 credit points, including unit 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice.

Corequisites

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.