2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3715 Internet Policy

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Giles Moss
Email: G.S.Moss@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

COMM3750 New Media and the Communications Industries

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

This module is designed to examine Internet policy and the changing regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks surrounding new media. Over the course of the semester, you will cover a number of key contemporary policy issues and debates. The aim is to introduce you to the key policy developments and debates in these areas while also providing you with the critical tools with which to analyse and normatively evaluate them.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Describe key aspects of the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks relevant to new media.
2. Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and principles in internet policy and regulation.
3. Apply key concepts and principles in the analysis of current debates and issues relevant to new media policy.
4. Synthesise complex ideas in the form of an essay

Syllabus

This module examines the changing legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks surrounding new media production, distribution, and consumption. It critically analyzes how industries and public authorities are responding to the policy issues and regulatory challenges new media presents and how they are seeking to influence its future direction and shape.

The module covers a number of key contemporary policy issues and debates, including digital inclusion, accessibility, content regulation, privacy, security, copyright and digital piracy, free and open-source production, and network neutrality.

The aim is to familiarize students with policy developments and debates in these areas while also providing them with the critical tools with which to analyze and normatively evaluate them.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Preparation for weekly lectures and seminars 55 hours
Preparation of the essay plan 40 hours
Weekly reflective writing 22 hours
Preparation of the assessed essay 60 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored by participation in seminars. The first assignment provides a key formative assessment opportunity and will allow student support to be provided in good time for the final essay submission.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Written Work	Essay plan 1 x 1,250 - 1,500 words	30.00
Essay	1 x 3,500 - 4,000 words	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit information: students are able to resit all components of the module: Students are able to submit a new essay or plan as required

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/06/2024 10:40:42

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