2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW3032 Cyberlaw: Law and the Regulation of the Information Society

20 creditsClass Size: 400

Module manager: Kisby Dickinson
Email: K.M.Dickinson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

LAW3031	Cyberlaw: Regulation of Information Society
LAW3033	Cyberlaw: Contemporary Issues

Module replaces

LAW3030 Cyberlaw: Information Technology, Law and Society

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The internet and networked technologies have changed the nature of our world as we experience it. So much so, that we are becoming an 'information society' in which the creation, manipulation distribution and exchange of information in its various forms has become a significant social, economic, political, cultural and legal activity. This module will examine the emerging trends that signify the formation of the information society and also its relationship with law, technology, and public policy. This module will cover UK and European Union law along with a variety of international regulatory perspectives that seek to harmonise law. The module will analyse the many legal and regulatory challenges that the information society generates for society, particularly with regard to privacy, the creation of products, the media. Particular focus will be upon whether these challenges can be best resolved by law or some other means, for example, technology, education or simple market forces. The aim of the module is to make students aware of the legal and regulatory policy issues which are intimately connected with the information society.

Objectives

On completion of this module the students will be aware of the legal and policy issues which are intimately connected with global information society. The aim of this module is to introduce students to the legal challenges that arise from the population of cyberspace.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course it is anticipated that students should be able to:
- understand the essential the issues concerning the relationship between information technology applications and key legal principles;
- understand the concept of technology, and its application in modern life in the shape of the Information Society;
- critically evaluate national and international policies and initiatives concerning the regulation of the Information Society;
- critically evaluate on-going developments in the law relating to Cyberspace;
- conduct independent research within the field of information technology and law using appropriate research methods.

Skills outcomes
- Draw on skills developed in the retrieval, collation and presentation of information (communication).
- Draw on analytical skills developed in the comparative understanding of concepts (problem solving).
- Critically read and comparatively evaluate literature (learning to learn).

Syllabus

Cyberlaw is found at the cutting edge of the law, where the ability of the law to achieve its goals is challenged. Thus, the “law” in Cyberlaw tends to take not only the law that applies to the Internet but also the broader range of regulatory responses and strategies of governance that subsequently arise. It is as much about the “law in action” as the “law in books”. The module will provide students with an in-depth look at some of the existing and emerging legal issues in Cyberspace. It will begin by considering the debate about the nature of the influence of information technology on the development of “new” legal doctrine through topics such as (but not limited to) – privacy, data protection, freedom of expression, surveillance, disinformation, cybercrime, cyber harassment, cyber pornography, cyberwar. Students will have an opportunity to consider how the current issues challenge Cyberspace Law and analyse its responses and proposed responses.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Private study hours			176.50
Total Contact hours			23.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The online learning element is broken down into 15 minute tasks, there will be 20 x 15 minute tasks overall.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 3,000-word essay	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: 24/07/2024

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