Objectives of Programme's Learning Outcomes

• Manage research, development and innovation.
• Understand unprecedented problems in computer science and its applications.
• Organise and lead a research, development or innovation project to completion.
• Methodically research valid scientific information, lead a critical analysis, propose and argue potentially innovative solutions to targeted problems.
• Master communication techniques.
• Communicate, both orally and in writing, their findings, original proposals, knowledge and underlying principles, in a clear, structured and justified manner.
• Adapt their communication to a variety of audiences.
• Develop and integrate a high degree of autonomy.
• Aquire new knowledge independently.
• Pursue further training and develop new skills independently.
• Apply scientific methodology.
• Critically reflect on the impact of IT in general, and on the contribution to projects.
• Demonstrate thoroughness, independence, creativity, intellectual honesty, and ethical values.

Learning Outcomes of UE

- Explain the purpose and consequences of the rules and mechanisms that organize the main legal regimes in the field of information technology.
- Correctly identify the issues that arise in concrete situations and propose the most appropriate solutions, making optimum use of the applicable rules.
- Understand the challenges facing society in a context where the various forms of protection are confronted with significant technological developments and competition with other fundamental rights.
- Conduct a rigorous, well-reasoned analysis of case law solutions, adding a personal, critical eye.
- Demonstrate a sense of synthesis, precision and discernment.
- Build a structured, substantiated and convincing argument.
- Project oneself into concrete situations, devise judicious examples and identify the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions.

UE Content: description and pedagogical relevance

Welcome to the "Ethics and Computer Law" course.
 
There are many types of law, and they are becoming increasingly complex. The time allotted to this course does not allow us to cover all the rights likely to be applicable in the field of information technology, nor the details of each protection. For this reason, four themes will be discussed: (i) intellectual property; (ii) data and the General Data Protection Regulation; (iii) e-commerce law; and (iv) ethics, as the underlying vector of the protections studied.
 
Current debates on the various protections will also be discussed, with a view to revealing the economic and social stakes involved, especially in the digital environment.
 
You will be invited to discuss the most pertinent issues in the field, and to take a position on certain legal proposals through assignments to be handed in. I will endeavor to provide as many examples as possible of the mechanisms described, so that you can project yourselves into real-life situations and apply legal rules rigorously and even creatively.
 
Generally speaking, the course focuses on both a national and supranational perspective. Analysis covers Belgian law, Benelux law, European Union law and international treaty law. Particular attention is paid to the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
 
This course has been designed using a hybrid teaching approach. This allows you to learn at your own pace and relatively independently. However, a regular pace of learning is recommended from the start of the year, as you will be required to hand in assignments at the end of each class session.
 
In addition to the Moodle, where you'll find all the course material (outline, reading, court decisions, worksheets, etc.), you'll also have access to a commented PowerPoint presentation of the course material every other Saturday in the "video" section (see calendar below). In addition, in order to answer any questions you may have about the material presented in the commented PowerPoint and/or the assignment, the next session of the course will be face-to-face, and time will be set aside to answer any questions you may have.
 
Please note that the recording of the course (in PowerPoint format with commentary) will only be available on Moodle for one week, so that you can follow the course at your own pace. These will be made available again for one week in preparation for the exam.

Prior Experience

Not applicable