Current Issues in International Law: Digitalisation and International Law

Digitalisation brings new challenges for which international law is only partially prepared. In the course "Digitalisation and International Law", we will discuss the impact of digitalisation and new technologies on human rights and international law, as well as the role of key actors, including Google, Facebook, and others. The course also addresses issues of sovereignty, cyberattacks, and new forms of regulation in the context of blockchain and artificial intelligence. The course is part of the Master's Programme. It is designed as a block course and takes place over four days during the semester.

For more information, please refer to the syllabus (PDF, 233 KB).

This course will be held in person. Please note that no podcasts or livestreams will be made available. The sessions are scheduled to take place on the following dates:

• Friday, 26 September 2025 (9:00 - 16:00), Room: SOC-F-106
• Friday, 17 October 2025 (9:00 - 16:00), Room: RAA-G-15
• Friday, 7 November 2025 (9:00 - 16:00), Room: SOD-1-102
• Friday, 21 November 2025 (9:00 - 16:00), Room: SOC-F-106

Attendance in class is mandatory. Furthermore, preparation and active participation in discussions are prerequisites for successfully completing the course. Please read all the texts listed under mandatory readings in the syllabus. Additional readings are meant to assist you should any topics be of particular interest to you. Please note that the required course material (including the PowerPoint Presentations used in class) and reading assignments will regularly be updated and published on Moodle. The password for the Moodle course will be provided during the first class.

Students will be required to deliver short group presentations on specific topics during class and lead a discussion on those topics. Both presentations and class participation will contribute to the final grade. Additional information regarding the presentations will be provided in the first lecture of the course.

Please direct any questions regarding the lecture content either during the sessions themselves or in the “Questions and Answers” forum on Moodle. In this way, all students will have access to your questions and the corresponding responses from the chair. Please be advised that questions related to lecture content will not be answered via email. 

If you have any other questions, the chair's assistants are available during regular office hours:

lst.kaufmann@ius.uzh.ch / +41 44 634 48 65