LWMCS: International Law and Technology

Module code: LWMCS

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Tsvetelina Van Benthem, email: t.j.vanbenthem@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 26 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

International law applies to new and emerging technologies. The key question is how precisely it applies: what legal protections exist for the rights of states, organisations and individuals from the continuously evolving threats posed by technologies. The International Law and Technology module will explore the relationship between international law and technology through topical case studies, including ransomware, information operations, and the military uses of artificial intelligence (AI).

The module begins with two introductory sessions: one acquainting students with information and communications technologies, including AI, delivered by specialists in cybersecurity, cybernetics and AI, and another on the different actors (states, international organisations, NGOs, civil society, the private sector and academia) engaged in the transnational discussions on international law’s application to new technologies. Following these sessions, the module explores case studies – information operations, digital indoctrination, ransomware, cyber-enabled international crimes, military uses of AI, AI in outer space – to determine both how international law applies and how the law may need to adapt. 

The module provides a meaningful bridge between theory and practice and prepares students for real-life applications of legal thinking to new technologies. The aim is to equip the students will the tools to not only analyse existing law, but also contribute towards its adaptation to meet the needs of the modern world. The final seminars of the module are dedicated to the future of regulation: modalities for adapting existing law to new challenges and for the negotiation of new international treaties.

The module will be delivered by experts in the field of international law and technology. The course will feature guest lectures from representatives of states and the private sector involved in inter-governmental and multi-stakeholder processes on the international law regulation of technology.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the system of international law obligations that bear on the regulation of new and emerging technologies.
2. Analyse contemporary questions of legal regulation of new and emerging technologies, such as cyber-enabled crimes, ransomware and information operations, and critically evaluate the limitations of existing international law protections.
3. Understand the ways in which discrete areas of international law overlap and interact, and formulate a coherent and holistic picture of the landscape of legal regulation.
4. Apply theory to practice through concrete case studies, developing practical legal knowledge and skills.
5. Demonstrate critical legal writing and research skills, and communicate legal analysis effectively in different contexts and to different audiences.

Module content

The module will provide an in-depth exploration of the international law regulation of new and emerging technologies. The content is structured around three thematic clusters:

1. Understanding the technologies and the international law system.
2. Case studies, such as information operations, digital indoctrination, ransomware, cyber-enabled international crimes, military uses of AI, AI in outer space.
3. Looking ahead: adapting international law to new technological realities.

The precise case studies taught may vary each year, depending on the most topical issues in the area.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered through eleven seminars. The seminars will be interactive and require preparation to enable full participation in class discussions.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

A 1000-word written work on a problem question, applying specific legal rules to a fictional fact pattern (in preparation for the written coursework assignment, weighted 50% of module).

Reassessment

Additional costs