LLB Law

The next generation will face new challenges in the workforce and society related to changes in digital technologies; the aim of this course is to prepare students for this future. The course does not require any background disciplinary-specific set of skills and welcomes diverse backgrounds and interests - success in the future will be about hybrid professionalisation, and there is no better time to start this preparation than the present! The course introduces students to a wide range of skills and learning experiences. Students will have the opportunity to learn from a diverse range of academics (e.g., computer science, management studies) and professionals (e.g., c-suite executives, legal technicians, law firm partners, management consultants). Students will have the chance to gain hands on as well as experiment within time real-world role-playing exercises (e.g., creativity sessions, investment decision making) and practice their listening and speaking skills in simulated professional environments. Students will also be introduced to a range of readings and information that covers a wide variety of topics related to digital technologies and governance, such as blockchains (smart contracts and virtual monies), digital platform models, the role of data in regulation and industry, change management and workflow allocation, gendered and radicalised dynamics of technology that challenge the possibilities of our democratic futures?

The class sessions aim to be fun and to prepare students to be career ready, with previous student cadres from the course already employed at graduation and a number of diverse industry employers viewing the class as a talent academy for recruitment.

Educational aims of the course are to:

1. Provide students with knowledge of multiple dynamics at play in the relationship between law and regulation, money, organisational design/tactics, and technological innovation, as well as provide practice-oriented skills to prepare students entering the workforce (e.g., coding, interfacing with clients);
2. Encourage the development of skills in reasoning and analysis through the use of nondoctrinal materials;
3. Facilitate both a critical and practical understanding of the interface between law, money and technology in a variety of institutional/professional contexts; and
4. Engage students in reflection on the underlying socio-political stakes and policy choices involved in the engagement between law, money and technology.

This optional course unit is available to LLB Law, Law with Criminology and Law with Politics students in Year 3 of their studies. 
 

At the end of the course, learning outcomes for those who apply themselves are as follows: 

The course is delivered by 11 2-hour lectures which provide new content. This is then supported by core and additional reading for each topic and podcasts.  

The class sessions are organised to offer students a variety of unique perspectives and skill-orientations at the interface of digital technologies and public/private governance, with an emphasis on blending critical reflection and practical hands-on capacity. Students are expected to participate in regular exercises and dialogue that are integrated into the class sessions.

Alongside this are 3 x 2 hour workshops in which industrial partners work with students on a practical problem solving task.

Understand and have knowledge of multiple dynamics at play in the relationship between law and regulation, money, organisational design / tactics, and technological innovation as well as provide practice-oriented skills to prepare students entering the workforce (e.g., coding, interfacing with clients). Develop skills in reasoning and analysis through the use of non-doctrinal materials. Have both a critical and practical understanding of the interface between law, money and technology in a variety of institutional/professional context; and reflect on the underlying socio-political stakes and policy choices involved in the engagement between law, money and technology.
 

Understand variety of computer technologies and implementation processes / models related to the delivery of legal services; understand challenges and opportunities of monetary, regulatory or technological change, as well as various methods for weighing costs and benefits of possible regulatory possibilities and industry practices; and appreciate challenges facing questions of justice and sustainability, the difficulties involved in client relationships, and the obstacles arising in the actual design and implementation of monetary, regulatory and technological services (e.g., addressing user experience, creativity, reliability, maintainability, overall effectiveness). 

Collaborating with other project members on assignments to deadline; capability building automated applications for real-world use; sharpen reading, speaking and writing skills that demonstrate critical thinking and independent; develop literacy comfort with business/managerial and monetary/financial policy discussion; and express confidence in applying the conceptual understanding necessary to solve legal and practical problems and developing techniques to assist with this process. 

Research and writing skills and presentation skills. Critical self-reflection on the use technological know-how (to create future applications); and cross-sector / interdisciplinary proficiency.  

The course grade will derive from two assessments. At the end of the term, students will complete a take home coursework essay that counts for 80% of their final grade (undergrad student, 2000 words). The other 20% is based on a reflective VLOG, which are specifically designed for students to reflect their experience and their learning journey. In addition, there will be a number of extra-curricular opportunities to develop skills further and meet employers (e.g., hack-a-thons etc.). The class is designed where there is regular space for discussion, review and question/answer to ensure that no one feels lost in the material and where everyone has ample opportunities to be prepared for the final coursework essay. 
 

Various reading materials either online or hard copy. The course uses a variety of materials and mediums (e.g., articles, books, videos), and students are introduced to a range of required and recommended materials. All these materials are available via the library or online and will not require any purchases.

Indicative reading: 
Richard Susskind, Tomorrow’s Lawyers An Introduction to your Future (OUP, 2nd ed., 2017)
Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell, “Digital Technology-Based Solutions for Enhanced Effectiveness of Secured Transactions Law: The Road to Perfection?” https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/lcp/vol81/iss1/2/

Arner, D.W., Buckley, R.P., Zetzsche, D.A. et al. Sustainability, FinTech and Financial Inclusion.  

Eur Bus Org Law Rev 21, 7–35 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40804-020-00183-y

D. Gabor & Brooks, The Digital Revolution in Financial Inclusion: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13563467.2017.1259298

Walter Johnson, What Do We Mean When We Say, Structural Racism?: https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/wjohnson/files/ferguson_kalfou_published.pdf 

Eligibility

There are no prerequisites for the course.

This course is available to incoming study abroad students.