Outline

Overview

Advances in technology pose new challenges for international governance. In an increasingly inter-connected world, new technology raises legal issues relating to its use, distribution and control. This unit will focus on the response of the international community to technological progress across the different specialised regimes in international law. The unit will commence with an overview of the framework of international law and international courts and the challenges relating to the regulation of new technology. This unit will then consider the intersection of technology and key specialised regimes in international law, focusing on Trade, Environment, Law of the Sea, Health, Crime, Use of Armed Force and Intellectual Property Rights. The unit will be taught using case studies, allowing students to discuss and analyse specific examples of new technology and international regulation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rosemary Lyster, rosemary.lyster@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rebecca Connolly, rebecca.connolly@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Group Panel Discussion (15%) Discussions	15%	Week 01 Due date: 23 Sep 2023 at 09:30 Closing date: 23 Sep 2023	6 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Position Paper (15%) Part 1 of class problem	15%	Week 02 Due date: 29 Sep 2023 at 17:00 Closing date: 06 Oct 2023	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research essay (70%) Essay	70%	Week 07 Due date: 30 Oct 2023 at 17:00 Closing date: 06 Nov 2023	6000 words / 5 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Optional Capstone Essay (80%) Essay	0%	Week 07 Due date: 30 Oct 2023 at 17:00 Closing date: 06 Nov 2023	7000 words / 5 weeks
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Class Problem (30%): The Class problem will be a ‘mock’ international dispute involving a current technology and international law topic. There will be three different topic options for the Class Problem – you must sign up to ONE of these topics. There will be only 20 student spots allocated to each of the three different topics – if your chosen topic has reached its 20 spots, you MUST select one of the other topics. The set topics (and materials) for the Class Problem will be released at 9:00am (Sydney, Australia time) on 13 September 2023 and you will be able to select and sign up to one of the three topics via Canvas.
There are two parts to the assessment for the Class Problem: (1) the Position Paper (15%); and (2) the Group Panel Discussion (15%).

Position Paper (15%): You will represent a STATE (it must be one of the 193 Member States of the United Nations). The Position Paper must set out your State’s position on the Class Problem topic. The Position Paper must be no longer than 1000 words including footnotes. The Position Paper is due by 5:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 29 September 2023.
Group Panel Discussion (15%): (equivalent of 1000 words). The Group Panel Discussions will occur on 23 September 2023. You are expected to share and discuss your research findings on your selected State’s position on your selected topic and how that position relates to other Member States of the United Nations. Topic 1 will run from 9:30am – 11:30am, Topic 2 will run from 12:30am – 2:30pm; and Topic 3 will run from 3:00pm-5:00pm. You MUST attend and present at the Group Panel Discussion that corresponds to your topic selection and observe the other Group Panel Discussions throughout the day.

Research essay (70%): Students will be provided with FOUR different essay topic questions (covering 4 different sub-topics of the unit). Students must select ONE of these 4 different topics for their research essay. The essay topic questions will be made available on Canvas at 6:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 21 September 2023. The Research Essay is limited to a maximum of 6000 words. The Research Essay is due at 5:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 30 October 2023.
Optional 7000 word Capstone Essay (80%): LLM students completing the final units of their degrees and who require a Capstone Essay as a degree requirement must notify the unit coordinator before 13 September 2023. The Capstone Essay may not be completed without approval from the unit coordinator. The due date for the Optional Capstone Essay is 5:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 30 October 2023. You must select ONE topic out of the FOUR set Research essay topics for this unit. The Capstone Essay should build on work already completed in the degree; you may not recycle work already submitted for assessment in the degree.
The Capstone Essay (80%) replaces the 6000 word essay (70%). The Class Problem will be re-weighted to 20% as follows:

- position Paper weighted at 10% and

- the Round Table Discussion weighted at 10%.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude all footnotes and any bibliography (if required).

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking). The use of Studiosity does not breach this rule but must be acknowledged.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. For example, a submission after the due time but before the same time the following day will attract a 10% penalty.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Ongoing	Introduction: International Legal Framework and the challenge of regulating new technology; Success stories: (1) Ozone Layer Protection; and (2) Nuclear Non-Proliferation; Science and technology and multilateral trade and Agricultural Biotechnology: Golden Rice and the Vitamin A deficiency.	Seminar (6.5 hr)
	Technology & International Health Law: Pharmaceuticals and vaccines (human trials); Neurotechnologies and the Law; The Internet and IT – (1) Cambridge Analytica and the Facebook data scandal; (2) the ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ and Disaster Response – Global Pandemic – COVID 19 (and technology) case study.	Seminar (6.5 hr)
	Regulatory approaches to Automated Decision Making and Artificial Intelligence; Space Law and Technology and Armed Conflict …. “Do we need new international law for lethal autonomous weapons?” – seminar class discussion.	Seminar (6.5 hr)
	International Law and Technology wrap up and Group panel discussion	Seminar (6.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment. 

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are available on Canvas on the Reading List tab.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. gain an in-depth understanding of the international legal response to new technology, including the relevant international legal instruments and organisations.
LO2. understand the policy challenges for regulating new technology, particularly issues crossing over different specialised areas of international law.
LO3. examine the current debates regarding technological progress and the policy arguments that drive regulation.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made.

Additional information

Resources - Sydney Law Students

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS6343: International Law and Technology

Intensive October, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect