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Law and Automation (LAWS90240)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
“Automation” describes the use of machines to perform tasks that would typically be executed by humans. This subject considers law and machine-use through the lens of certain key inventions. The goal is to analyse the actual or potential impact of more recent developments (including: the Internet; virtual reality; blockchain technology; and machine learning) within the broader context of technological change. Whilst the terms “technology” and “automation” often recall digital innovation, many strides have been made throughout history that have had a profound and lasting impact on the legal system. By considering these developments in context, we equip ourselves better to analyse the legal significance of newer technologies.
Beginning with some foundational questions about the interaction between technology, justice and democracy, the subject covers many areas in which the law has evolved to accommodate or control innovation and automation. These areas include: forensic science; information monopolies and copyright; audio-visual technologies and privacy; engineering and high-speed travel; data networks; cryptography; simulation; and statistical algorithms. The subject charts a path from Bronze Age codes that emerged to govern tool use, through Classical Age machines of democratic participation, instruments of Medieval crime and punishment, the artefacts of the Printing and Industrial Revolutions, to the present Information Age.
Principal topics include:
- The Kleroterion: sortition and fundamental questions in law and technology (justice, respect, democracy, and the rule of law).
- The Polygraph: truth-seeking, fraud and forensic science.
- The Printing Press: information monopolies, copyright, and the practice of law.
- The Camera: audio-visual technologies, privacy and anthropometry.
- The Internet: property law and digital systems.
- Virtual Reality: assault and psychiatric harm.
- Blockchain Technology: governance and smart contracts.
- Machine Learning: revisiting fundamental questions in law and technology (justice, respect, democracy, and the rule of law).
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Be able to evaluate how the law responds to technological change in a structured and focused way, with reference to specific doctrines of private, public, and criminal law.
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of contextual legal and technological development in Australia, as it compares with other jurisdictions.
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of the ethical and political implications of automation, and of the legal responses to automation.
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding emerging and contemporary issues in the field, such as whether and how automation affects the rule of law, procedural fairness, digital property, "smart" contracting, and interpersonal harm.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills:
- Advanced and specialised skills in reading and comprehending historical, theoretical and doctrinal materials;
- Expert cognitive and technical skills for critical and independent thought and reflection;
- Mastery of technical research skills;
- The ability to communicate specialised and complex information, concepts and theories with confidence and competence.
- The ability to understand and apply general principles and theories of law, ethics and political philosophy;
- An advanced capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection.
Last updated: 12 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50025 | Torts | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50030 | Property | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Note: these can be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Two Essays
| Please refer to the Assessment Schedule on the LMS for confirmation of due dates. | 100% |
Additional details
The due date of the above assessment(s) will be available to students via the Assessment Schedule on the LMS Community.
Last updated: 12 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Tatiana Cutts Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 144 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject has an enrolment quota of 60 students.
All timely JD elective enrolments are subject to a selection process, which the Academic Support Office will perform after the timely re-enrolment period ends. Late self-enrolment is on a first-in basis up to quota.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law School website for further information about the management of subject quotas.
Last updated: 12 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available via the LMS.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Juris Doctor
Last updated: 12 February 2024