486 Jurisprudence (Ogbogu)

LAW486

Jurisprudence: Law & Science

(Ogbogu)

Prerequisite courses: 

Prerequisite for: 

Instructor(s): Professor Ubaka Ogbogu

Method of presentation: Seminar with interactive discussions, debates, simulations, role-playing, and collaborative digital activities.

Teamwork:

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Class participation, interactive group activities, student presentations, and a research paper.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Law and science shape societal norms, influence policy, and raise complex ethical questions. This seminar critically examines their intersections, focusing on legal, philosophical, and regulatory challenges in areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and scientific governance.

The course also explores how science informs legal systems, judicial decision-making, and evidentiary standards, with a focus on topics such as science in the courtroom, expert testimony, forensic science, and the role of scientific uncertainty in legal disputes. Through debates, simulations, role-playing, case studies, and digital collaborations, students will analyze how courts and regulatory bodies engage with scientific knowledge and respond to scientific controversies.

Drawing from Canadian, U.S., U.K., and global legal frameworks, students will critically assess the evolving role of law in scientific innovation, governance, and justice.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

This course includes extensive classroom participation activities that contribute to the final grade. It may not be suitable for students who prefer a less interactive learning environment.

Description updated 2025-26. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)

TBD