Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)
Module LAW3121: COMPUTER LAW
Department: LAW
LAW3121: COMPUTER LAW
Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Not available in 2006/07 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
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Prerequisites
- The Law of Obligations (LAW1023) (or Corequisites).
Corequisites
- Law of Obligations (LAW1023) (or Prerequisite).
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To acquaint students with the fundamentals of information technology law.
- To explore ways in which law and information technology interact.
- To examine the policy, purpose and process behind the regulation of information technology.
- To improve the legal analytical skills of students.
- To encourage students to adopt a questioning and evaluative approach to legal principles and rules.
- To encourage students to appreciate the different ways in which the law is capable of being developed.
Content
- Students are introduced to a number of different areas of law which affect and are affected by information technology.
- Relevant areas include: intellectual property law, the law of private obligations, criminal law, and data protection.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of computer law in England.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Students should be able to:
- apply the existing law to given factual scenarios and advise accordingly
- Analyse and evaluate the existing law in the light of the economic, political and social issues raised.
- Engage in informed debate concerning current proposals for reform.
Key Skills:
- Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate developed analytical and written skills, including the ability to work independently and for the student to take responsibility for their own learning.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Students will:
- Receive a detailed introduction to important computer law topics in a series of lectures. In the accompanying module reading lists, they will be given guidance on important sources to consult and indications of how to pursue their interests further.
- Be given the opportunity to raise difficulties and to discuss aspects of the law both in five one-hour topic-specific tutorials and also by being given access to module teaching staff via email.
- Be expected to undertake two formative assignments in the course of the module. The assignments will be returned to the students in good time both marked and accompanied by detailed written feedback.
- Summative assessment comprises one unseen examination of two hours fifteen minutes (including fifteen minutes reading time). Students are given a choice of questions to answer, but the paper is structured in such a way as to assess students on all the specific outcomes. Essay questions are used to assess knowledge, the ability to apply the law to factual scenarios, evaluative capacity and an awareness of placing the analysis of law in wider contexts of enquiry.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
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Lectures | 28 | 3 per fortnight | 1 hour | 28 | |
Tutorials/Practicals | 6 | 1 per 3 weeks | 1 hour | 6 | |
Preparation and Reading | 166 | ||||
Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
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Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
two-and-one-quarter hour written examination - including 15 minutes reading but not writing-in-the-answer-book time | 100% |
Formative Assessment:
2 essays of 2000 words max
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University