Cyberspace and International Law
General data
| Course ID: | 0500-CINLPW |
| Erasmus code / ISCED: | (unknown) / (unknown) |
| Course title: | Cyberspace and International Law |
| Name in Polish: | Cyberspace and International Law |
| Organizational unit: | Faculty of Law and Administration |
| Course groups: |
Seminar list J foreign language for 4th and 5th year evening law students, summer semester |
| ECTS credit allocation (and other scores): |
0 OR
4.00
(depends on study program)
|
| Language: | (unknown) |
| (in Polish) Ogólne treści programowe: | The course addresses the public international law foundations governing the functioning and regulation of cyberspace, with particular emphasis on public-law mechanisms of Internet governance. The analysis focuses on classical institutions of public international law as applied to the digital environment, including state sovereignty, jurisdiction, international responsibility, sources of law, and mechanisms for the settlement of disputes. The course also examines the role of non-state actors in global Internet governance, in particular ICANN, IANA, and multistakeholder fora, as well as the significance of domestic and international case law. In addition, it explores current normative initiatives relating to cybersecurity, the protection of human rights online, and the stability of the Internet’s critical infrastructure. |
| (in Polish) Forma studiów: | (in Polish) niestacjonarne (wieczorowe) |
| Prerequisits: | The student possesses basic knowledge of public international law and the domestic legal system, is familiar with fundamental legal concepts and normative structures, and demonstrates awareness of the key legal challenges associated with the functioning of the Internet and digital technologies. |
| Short description: |
The aim of the course is to provide a problem-oriented introduction to the issues constituting international cyberspace law, understood as a body of norms, principles, and practices regulating the functioning of the Internet at the international level. The course focuses on the public-law aspects of international Internet governance, examining both traditional institutions of public international law and their contemporary reinterpretation in the context of the information society. Particular attention is devoted to the role of states, international organisations, domestic courts, and multilateral mechanisms in shaping the legal order of cyberspace. |
| Learning outcomes: |
In terms of knowledge, the student: - has knowledge of the fundamental concepts, institutions, and sources of international law applicable to cyberspace, as well as the relationships between them; - defines and characterises public-law institutions and procedures related to international Internet governance; - is familiar with the main directions in the evolution of international legal norms in response to the development of digital technologies and the information society. In terms of skills, the student: - is able to interpret norms of international and domestic law in the context of cyberspace and to formulate substantively and formally correct legal arguments, both in written and oral form; - analyses processes of normative change in the field of international Internet law through critical use of legal sources; - conducts problem-oriented analyses concerning jurisdiction, responsibility, and the regulation of activities in cyberspace, indicating potential consequences of different legal solutions; - communicates in a professional manner enabling participation in specialised legal discourse. In terms of social competences, the student: - understands the need for continuous updating of knowledge in the dynamically evolving field of cyberspace regulation; - is able to identify and resolve standard problems arising from the application of international legal norms in the digital environment; - is prepared to engage in teamwork in the analysis of issues relating to international Internet law. |
Classes in period "Summer Semester 2025/2026" (in progress)
| Time span: | 2026-02-23 - 2026-09-30 |
 
MO TU W K
TH FR |
| Type of class: |
Discussion class, 20 hours
|
|
| Coordinators: | Joanna Kulesza | |
| Group instructors: | Joanna Kulesza | |
| Course homepage: | https://www.cyber.uni.lodz.pl/details/cil | |
| Students list: | (inaccessible to you) | |
| Credit: | (in Polish) Ocena zgodna z regulaminem studiów | |
| Additional Information: | n/a |
|
| Teaching Method: | Problem-oriented lectures, analysis of normative acts and international legal documents, case studies, moderated discussion, and selected elements of the analysis of domestic and international case law. |
|
| Method and Criteria of Assessment: | The paper must be submitted after the final lecture. - Assessment is based on: - substantive and legal accuracy of the analysis, - ability to apply concepts and institutions of international law to cyberspace-related issues, - logical structure and coherence of legal argumentation, - formal correctness of the paper, - quality and relevance of the sources used. All quotations must be clearly identified and properly referenced. The paper must include footnotes and a bibliography. Students are required to rely on peer-reviewed academic literature, normative acts, and official documents of international institutions. |
|
| (in Polish) Metody weryfikacji i oceny stopnia osiągnięcia założonych efektów uczenia się: | The achievement of learning outcomes is verified through an individual written assignment prepared independently by the student on one of the topics covered during the course lectures. The paper should take an analytical and problem-oriented approach and present a critical examination of a selected issue in the field of international Internet law / cyberspace law, taking into account applicable norms of public international law, relevant case law, and current doctrinal debates. Length of the paper: up to 3 pages of standard manuscript (Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing). |
|
| Course Content: | The concept of cyberspace and the Internet in public international law Sources of international law applicable to cyberspace State sovereignty, jurisdiction, and international responsibility in cyberspace International Internet governance (ICANN, IANA, and multistakeholder governance models) Cybersecurity and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace Protection of human rights in cyberspace The role of domestic and international courts in the development of legal norms Contemporary regulatory initiatives and future challenges in the governance of cyberspace |
|
| Bibliography: |
Salvi, A., Tiirmaa-Klaar, H., & Lewis, J. A. (eds.). (2025). A Handbook for the Practice of Cyber Diplomacy. European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). Balleste, R., Doucet, G., & Hanlon, M. L. D. (eds.). (2025). A Research Agenda for Cybersecurity Law and Policy. Edward Elgar. Tsagourias, N., Buchan, R., & Franchini, D. (eds.). (2024). The Peaceful Settlement of Inter-State Cyber Disputes. Bloomsbury. Kulesza, J., & Weber, R. H. (2021). Protecting the Internet with international law. Computer Law & Security Review, 40. Balleste, R., & Kulesza, J. (eds.). (2015). Cybersecurity and Human Rights in the Age of Cyberveillance. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Kulesza, J. (2012). International Internet Law. Routledge. |
|
Classes in period "Academic year 2024/2025" (past)
| Time span: | 2024-10-01 - 2025-09-30 |
MO TU K
W TH FR |
| Type of class: |
Discussion class, 20 hours
|
|
| Coordinators: | Joanna Kulesza | |
| Group instructors: | Joanna Kulesza | |
| Students list: | (inaccessible to you) | |
| Credit: | (in Polish) Ocena zgodna z regulaminem studiów | |
| Additional Information: | (in Polish) nie dotyczy |
|
| Teaching Method: | (in Polish) Wykład problemowy, analiza aktów normatywnych i dokumentów międzynarodowych, studia przypadków (case studies), dyskusja moderowana, elementy analizy orzecznictwa krajowego i międzynarodowego. |
|
| Method and Criteria of Assessment: | The paper must be submitted after the final lecture. - Assessment is based on: - substantive and legal accuracy of the analysis, - ability to apply concepts and institutions of international law to cyberspace-related issues, - logical structure and coherence of legal argumentation, - formal correctness of the paper, - quality and relevance of the sources used. All quotations must be clearly identified and properly referenced. The paper must include footnotes and a bibliography. Students are required to rely on peer-reviewed academic literature, normative acts, and official documents of international institutions. |
|
| (in Polish) Metody weryfikacji i oceny stopnia osiągnięcia założonych efektów uczenia się: | The achievement of learning outcomes is verified through an individual written assignment prepared independently by the student on one of the topics covered during the course lectures. The paper should take an analytical and problem-oriented approach and present a critical examination of a selected issue in the field of international Internet law / cyberspace law, taking into account applicable norms of public international law, relevant case law, and current doctrinal debates. Length of the paper: up to 3 pages of standard manuscript (Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing). |
|
| Course Content: | The concept of cyberspace and the Internet in public international law Sources of international law applicable to cyberspace State sovereignty, jurisdiction, and international responsibility in cyberspace International Internet governance (ICANN, IANA, and multistakeholder governance models) Cybersecurity and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace Protection of human rights in cyberspace The role of domestic and international courts in the development of legal norms Contemporary regulatory initiatives and future challenges in the governance of cyberspace |
|
| Bibliography: |
Salvi, A., Tiirmaa-Klaar, H., & Lewis, J. A. (eds.). (2025). A Handbook for the Practice of Cyber Diplomacy. European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). Balleste, R., Doucet, G., & Hanlon, M. L. D. (eds.). (2025). A Research Agenda for Cybersecurity Law and Policy. Edward Elgar. Tsagourias, N., Buchan, R., & Franchini, D. (eds.). (2024). The Peaceful Settlement of Inter-State Cyber Disputes. Bloomsbury. Kulesza, J., & Weber, R. H. (2021). Protecting the Internet with international law. Computer Law & Security Review, 40. Balleste, R., & Kulesza, J. (eds.). (2015). Cybersecurity and Human Rights in the Age of Cyberveillance. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Kulesza, J. (2012). International Internet Law. Routledge. |
|
Classes in period "Academic year 2023/2024" (past)
| Time span: | 2023-10-01 - 2024-09-30 |
MO TU W TH K
FR |
| Type of class: |
Discussion class, 20 hours
|
|
| Coordinators: | Joanna Kulesza | |
| Group instructors: | Joanna Kulesza | |
| Students list: | (inaccessible to you) | |
| Credit: | (in Polish) Ocena zgodna z regulaminem studiów | |
| Additional Information: | (in Polish) nie dotyczy |
|
| Teaching Method: | (in Polish) Wykład problemowy, analiza aktów normatywnych i dokumentów międzynarodowych, studia przypadków (case studies), dyskusja moderowana, elementy analizy orzecznictwa krajowego i międzynarodowego. |
|
| Method and Criteria of Assessment: | The paper must be submitted after the final lecture. - Assessment is based on: - substantive and legal accuracy of the analysis, - ability to apply concepts and institutions of international law to cyberspace-related issues, - logical structure and coherence of legal argumentation, - formal correctness of the paper, - quality and relevance of the sources used. All quotations must be clearly identified and properly referenced. The paper must include footnotes and a bibliography. Students are required to rely on peer-reviewed academic literature, normative acts, and official documents of international institutions. |
|
| (in Polish) Metody weryfikacji i oceny stopnia osiągnięcia założonych efektów uczenia się: | The achievement of learning outcomes is verified through an individual written assignment prepared independently by the student on one of the topics covered during the course lectures. The paper should take an analytical and problem-oriented approach and present a critical examination of a selected issue in the field of international Internet law / cyberspace law, taking into account applicable norms of public international law, relevant case law, and current doctrinal debates. Length of the paper: up to 3 pages of standard manuscript (Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing). |
|
| Course Content: | The concept of cyberspace and the Internet in public international law Sources of international law applicable to cyberspace State sovereignty, jurisdiction, and international responsibility in cyberspace International Internet governance (ICANN, IANA, and multistakeholder governance models) Cybersecurity and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace Protection of human rights in cyberspace The role of domestic and international courts in the development of legal norms Contemporary regulatory initiatives and future challenges in the governance of cyberspace |
|
| Bibliography: |
Salvi, A., Tiirmaa-Klaar, H., & Lewis, J. A. (eds.). (2025). A Handbook for the Practice of Cyber Diplomacy. European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). Balleste, R., Doucet, G., & Hanlon, M. L. D. (eds.). (2025). A Research Agenda for Cybersecurity Law and Policy. Edward Elgar. Tsagourias, N., Buchan, R., & Franchini, D. (eds.). (2024). The Peaceful Settlement of Inter-State Cyber Disputes. Bloomsbury. Kulesza, J., & Weber, R. H. (2021). Protecting the Internet with international law. Computer Law & Security Review, 40. Balleste, R., & Kulesza, J. (eds.). (2015). Cybersecurity and Human Rights in the Age of Cyberveillance. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Kulesza, J. (2012). International Internet Law. Routledge. |
|
Copyright by UNIVERSITY OF LODZ.
