CS50's Computer Science for Lawyers
- Free
- Certificate included
- Course certificate
- Beginner
- 10 weeks
CS50 for Lawyers adapts CS50x for lawyers and law students, taking a top-down approach that emphasises high-level concepts and design decisions rather than low-level implementation. Through technical instruction and case-study discussion it covers algorithms, cloud computing, databases, networking, privacy, programming, scalability and security, with attention to how developers' choices can affect clients, and it gives hands-on experience with Python and SQL for mining data. The aim is to let lawyers take part in technology-driven conversations and form technology-informed legal arguments and opinions. The material spans ten weeks, each with a lecture and an assignment.
The course is free through Harvard's OpenCourseWare, and a free edX account is needed to submit assignments for feedback. Scoring at least 70% on every assignment earns a free CS50 Certificate. Alternatives are a verified certificate from edX, listed by Harvard at $299, or a certificate of completion from Harvard Law School Executive Education, which requires a separate application. Harvard rates the course introductory with a time commitment of 3 to 6 hours per week.
What you’ll learn
- Explain how algorithms, databases, networking and cloud computing work at a conceptual level
- Assess the privacy, scalability and security implications of technical decisions
- Use Python and SQL to mine data for answers
- Contribute to technology-driven conversations with clients and developers
- Formulate technology-informed legal arguments and opinions
Who it’s for
Lawyers and law students who advise on or litigate technology matters; also useful for compliance and policy staff.
Source: Harvard Online (opens in a new tab) · Verified · Report a change
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