Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Mary DeRosa

J.D. Seminar 1127 (cross-listed) | 2 credit hours

A consensus has developed over the past decade that “cyber attacks” represent a significant and growing national security threat to the United States and “cybersecurity” is a critical goal. Beyond that agreement, there is little common understanding of those terms and the most effective policies and processes for addressing them. A growing number of private sector and government players are attempting to address cyber threats, often talking past each other. This course will focus primarily on the U.S. Government role in addressing cyber threats and the legal, policy, organizational, and practical challenges the Government’s national security players face. Students will examine select current legal and policy challenges with which the U.S. Government is grappling, as well as the roles and interactions of the different entities involved.

Although the subject matter of this course involves technology, no background in technology is necessary for the class. A goal of the class is for students to learn how to analyze problems involving novel and complex technologies within legal frameworks and policymaking structures that apply more generally.

The class will review specific current challenges, often by using real and hypothetical scenarios and case studies. Grades will be based on class discussion and on 3 papers, approximately 7-pages each. For the papers, students will take on the role of a government actor and address how to accomplish a particular goal or otherwise critique or advocate for one side of a challenging issue.

Prerequisites: Constitutional Law I: The Federal System is required. Some previous national security or international law course or other experience in national security is helpful, but not required.