2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW3200 Privacy & Media Law

20 creditsClass Size: 368

Module manager: Prof Paul Wragg
Email: P.M.Wragg@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

Module will replace LAW3197 Media Freedom.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

A module that provides students with an understanding of some of the key laws that regulate the media. The module will cover laws regulating both traditional media (in particular the press) and new digital media (e.g. social networking sites). Students will consider the extent to which these media laws uphold fundamental human rights, in particular the Art 10 free expression right and the Art 8 privacy right. The module will be taught via a combination of in-person lectures and seminars, with guided online tasks as well as independent student study. It will be assessed by coursework.

Objectives

To enable students to engage with key topical issues in media law and privacy law.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. understand, analyse and apply the relevant legal and extra-legal rules governing issues relating to the traditional media and new digital media

2. critically evaluate those rules within the context of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), in particular Article 8 (the right to privacy) and Article 10 (the right to free expression)

3. demonstrate enhanced research skills in the location and analysis of relevant case and statutory materials, extra-legal rules and wider academic literature

Skills outcomes
Legal writing (a more specific communication skill)

An understanding of relevant legal and/or theoretical reasoning

Syllabus

This module’s central theme is the interaction between key human rights - specifically the Art 10 ECHR right to free speech and the Art 8 right to privacy – and various laws that regulate traditional and new media. With reference to case law and legal theory, the course enquires into the extent to which these key human rights can be upheld by a range of media laws, including misuse of private information. The module will follow current events and emerging issues in media law, considering, where relevant, high profile cases or events as well as government proposals to regulate the media.

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
Tutorial	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			165.50
Total Contact hours			34.50
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	3000 words	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: 19/02/2024

Disclaimer

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