Course Details

Computer Science and the Law

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, cloud infrastructure, and cryptographic systems are no longer peripheral to legal practice; they are rapidly redefining it. From algorithmic liability to platform governance to encryption policy, many of the most consequential legal questions today turn on how these technologies actually function. This seminar is designed to equip students to engage those questions with precision. Rather than treating technology as a black box, the course introduces foundational concepts underlying modern computing systems and pairs them with the core legal questions they generate. The course proceeds in two stages. First, students develop a working understanding of core computational primitives—sufficient to move beyond analogy and critically assess technical claims. Second, students apply that understanding to legal problems arising in emerging areas of practice, including liability, regulation, and privacy. The objective of the seminar is not to train engineers, but to prepare lawyers to operate effectively in contexts where technical detail and legal judgment are increasingly intertwined. No prior background in computer science is expected, though students should be willing to engage with computational concepts and empirical methods.

Catalog Number: BUSCOM 615
Practice Areas: Business, Corporate,Trans Area ,  Commercial Practice Area ,  High Technology
Additional Course Information: Research Writing

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Course History

Fall 2026
Title: Computer Science and the Law
Faculty: Reitinger, Nathan (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 3.0
Capacity: 20     Actual: 20