The technology of blockchain, smart contracts, and AI has revolutionised many industries. It allows for automated, trust-minimised interactions that limit the need for gatekeepers and middlemen. This course explores the legal and regulatory framework for the adoption of blockchain technology through the lens of sustainable and anti-corruption global futures. It will explain how blockchain technology works and bitcoin as its original proof of concept. It will focus on blockchain technology and its positive use-cases, while examining its mis-use and explaining its shortcomings.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Research, synthesise and analyse the legal principles and issues arising from the use of blockchains, digital assets and smart contract technology.
- Synthesise and critically evaluate current and potential laws regulating blockchains, smart contracts and digital assets.
- Critically reflect on the way in which these technologies may impact the law, access to justice, and society generally.
- Assess current policy, legal and regulatory frameworks in order to develop proposals which recommend changes required to improve the use and adoption of blockchain, digital assets and smart contracts in legal and regulatory processes.
Required Resources
Prescribed text: M van Rijmenam and P Ryan, Blockchain: Transforming Your Business and Our World (Routledge, 2019).
About the book:
This book offers a fresh perspective with which to consider this transformative technology. It describes how Blockchain can optimise the processes that run our society. It provides practical solutions to global problems and offers a roadmap to incorporate Blockchain in your business. It offers a blueprint for a better world. Filled with easy-to-understand examples, this book shows how Blockchain can take over where the internet has fallen short.
To purchase e-book:
Available from publisher:
To purchase paperback:
Discounted paperback available direct from the author via https://events.humanitix.com/blockchain-transforming-your-business-and-our-world
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.
Other Information
Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).
Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties
Extenuating circumstances: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application
Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations
Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties
Distribution of grades policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading
Further information about the course: is available from the course Wattle page. Students are required to access the Wattle site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The ANU Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as providing clear guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.
The following resources may also be useful:
• The ANU Library's Libguide is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.
• The ANU Academic Skills site provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.
• The ANU College of Law Academic Integrity and Misconduct site provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.
Class Schedule
| Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to blockchain technology (Topic 1) | In line with the University’s recording policy, lectures, seminars and lectorials will be recorded and made available for students on Echo360. However, lecture recordings are only an additional resource and they should not be taken as a substitute for regular attendance. If a recording does fail, there is no guarantee a replacement recording will be provided. |
| 2 | Bitcoin as a proof of concept (Topic 2) | |
| 3 | Hype cycles and the zone of productivity (Topic 3) | |
| 4 | Supply chain and audit use cases (Topic 4) | |
| 5 | Digital asset transparency (Topic 5) | |
| 6 | Non-fungible Tokens (Topic 6) | |
| 7 | Solving the world's wicked problems? (Topic 7) | |
| 8 | Global standards projects (Topic 8) |
Tutorial Registration
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Blog Posts (10% for each post) | 40 % | 29/02/2024 | * |
| Quiz | 10 % | 07/03/2024 | 15/03/2024 |
| Research Assessment | 50 % | 04/04/2024 | 30/04/2024 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
- Code of practice for teaching and learning
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Participation
For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the program. Students are expected to attend all classes.
In line with the University’s recording policy, lectures, seminars and lectorials will be recorded and made available for students on Echo360. However, lecture recordings are only an additional resource and they should not be taken as a substitute for regular attendance. If a recording does fail, there is no guarantee a replacement recording will be provided.
Examination(s)
There is no final examination for this course.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes:
Four Blog Posts (10% for each post)
Details of Task: The blog posts provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning in the first four weeks of the course.
Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 40% (10% for each blog post)
Word Limit: 2,400 words in total. 600 words per blog. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.
Due Date: Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.
Blog post 1: 5pm, Thursday 8 February 2024 (600 words max) to the relevant Discussion Forum in Wattle.
Blog post 2: 5pm, Thursday 15 February 2024 (600 words max) to the relevant Discussion Forum in Wattle.
Blog post 3: 5pm, Thursday 22 February 2024 (600 words max) to the relevant Discussion Forum in Wattle.
Blog post 4: 5pm, Thursday 29 February 2024 (600 words max) to the relevant Discussion Forum in Wattle.
Estimated Return Date: Within approximately one week of the submission dates. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply.
Assessment Criteria:
- Understanding of the material taught in the course;
- Ability to make connections across the materials;
- Clarity and conciseness; and
- Expression
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes:
Quiz
Details of Task: The quiz will consist of five short answer questions, each worth 2 marks. Each question will have a short scenario to read and then a question based on the material in Topics 3 and 4 of the course.
Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 10%
Release: 5pm, Wednesday 6 March 2024
Duration: 60 minutes. Once you have commenced your attempt, you will have 60 minutes to complete it. The quiz will finish after 60 minutes and any open attempts will close and be submitted automatically. Please allow sufficient time to complete your attempt. Backward navigation is NOT permitted.
Word Limit: Maximum 50 words per answer. Overall word limit for the task is 250 words (5 questions x 50 words = 250 words).
Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 7 March 2024 via WATTLE. If you experience extenuating circumstances and cannot attempt the assessment on the due date and time, you should apply for an extension here. The College will give you one final opportunity to complete the assessment, at the same time one week later. If you have already accessed the assessment, you will not be approved an extension and will need to complete the task by the due date.
Estimated Return Date: Friday 15 March 2024.
Assessment Criteria: The mark for the quiz will be based on the number of correct responses.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes:
Research Assessment
Details of Task:
Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.
Weighting: 50%
Release:
Word Limit: 3,600 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.
Submission Requirements: Footnotes should be used for the referencing of all sources. All references should be compliant with the current edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.
Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 4 April 2024 via Turnitin. Late submissions with an extension are permitted. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply.
Estimated Return Date: Tuesday 30 April 2024
Assessment Criteria:
- Understanding of the Issues
- Communication & Development of Argument
- Argument/Analysis
- Research
- Presentation, style and referencing
An assessment rubric will be available in Wattle.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.
The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.
The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.
The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. You must ensure that you upload the correct document on the specified submission due date and time. Any document modified after the due date and time will either incur a late penalty or will NOT be accepted. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.
- Late submission is not accepted for tests or examinations.
- Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.
Referencing Requirements
The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.
Returning Assignments
All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Resubmission of Assignments
Resubmission is not guaranteed. Please ensure that you have reviewed your submission carefully before you submit.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students
Convener
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Dr Philippa Ryan
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