2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LAW5694M Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Property: Health, Food and Biotechnology

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Amaka Vanni
Email: N.Vanni@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module aims to provide students with insights into debates concerning the relations between intellectual property and health, food, agriculture and modern biotechnologies. One of these debates concerns the high prices of patented drugs in developing countries. With respect to food security, concerns have been raised that intellectual property may on balance have negative implications for food security if rules are inappropriately designed. The module will present the arguments and the proposals being made at the WTO and elsewhere to address these and related concerns.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with insights into debates concerning the relations between intellectual property and health, food, agriculture and modern biotechnologies. One of these debates concerns the high prices of patented drugs in developing countries. WTO members have agreed to amend TRIPS in order to improve access to these life-saving medicines, and we will consider the feasibility of this settlement. With respect to food security, concerns have been raised that intellectual property empowers large corporations at the expense of poor farmers and distorts agricultural systems in developing countries, turning them into exporters of cash crops, unduly raising the costs of doing farming, and curtailing the supply of inexpensive food for domestic consumers. On the other hand, carefully designed intellectual property rules could be beneficial and improve food security. The module will present the arguments and the proposals being made at the WTO and elsewhere to address these and related concerns.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. be familiar with the literature relating to the intellectual property rights as they relate to health, food security and agriculture
2. be able to assess the reasons informing and the implications of the mainstreaming of these debates
3. be able to appreciate the theoretical and policy context underpinning many of these debates
4. be capable of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the various arguments put forward by academics, governments and non-governmental organisations
5. have developed the ability to research, analyse and communicate in an informed and critical way the relevant theoretical accounts and empirical studies
6. be able to relate the issues in the literature and in intergovernmental negotiations to law and policy developments within their own and a variety of other countries.

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Critical thinking, demonstrating openness to alternative ideas and have the ability to interrogate sources
2. Develop academic skills to enable you to source, understand and apply your discipline
3. Be able to evaluate and analyse a range of information to put forward coherent and evidence based arguments
4. Develop advanced communication skills, essential for effective interaction and the dissemination of complex concepts.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	1.50	15.00
Private study hours			135.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to the summative assessment task. As part of this, each student will receive individual feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative assessment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2024

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD