LW7098 - Cyber Law

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will develop a critical understanding of the law relating to the Internet. You will acquire the knowledge and understanding of the following: the general principles of cyber law, the technological fundamentals of the Internet of Things, the features of contracts regarding smart devices or negotiated by them, the legal regimes that consumers can use to bring a complaint regarding faulty smart devices, the privacy and security risks in the Internet of Things, the impact of new technologies on some traditional tort principles, the implications of these new technologies for patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyright.

How will I learn on this module?

You will be taught in formal sessions (lectures and workshops) and we will also facilitate independent study/learning opportunities to enable you to gain a thorough understanding of cyber law. You will have access to webcasts which are specific to the module. The lectures will cover a range of key theoretical and practical concepts in each topic. The small group sessions are practical workshops and will enable you to examine the principles introduced in the lectures against relevant, realistic and practical scenarios relating to cyber law when you will have carried out additional independent learning. Individual and group feedback will be given to students in the small group sessions on their performance after the submission of practice assignments and/or workshop tasks. You will be provided with detailed feedback on your summative assignment for this module and, as part of your reflective development, such feedback can be utilised in the preparation of subsequent module assessments on the programme. You are therefore able to demonstrate self-reflection and reflective practice within the module and on the programme as a whole, with feedback of appropriate quality and the positive application of formative feedback on learning.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

This module is designed and will be managed by the designated Module Tutor. S/he will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on the module. All relevant materials and instructions will be accessible on-line through Blackboard Ultra and this will be maintained by your Module Tutor. Extensive use will therefore made of Blackboard Ultra on this module, to facilitate discussions between you and your Module Tutor, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments in the law. Academic support is also available through formative feedback during timetabled sessions, on assignments. The workshops will be used to provide you with opportunities to develop your presentation skills via feedback from your tutors and other students. At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme as a whole.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. You will be able to display and critically apply expert knowledge of the law relating to cyber law in the UK and in the European Union

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2. You will be able to analyse and communicate complex legal and policy issues relating to cyber law

3. You will be able to critically evaluate source material, suggest alternative approaches to the cyber law and its application in practice and reflect on the application of your knowledge and that of others within practical contexts

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4. You will gain a critical awareness of how cyber law works in a global economy.

5. You will be able to critically evaluate source material, suggest alternative approaches to cyber law and its application in practice and reflect on the application of your knowledge and that of others within practical contexts

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment will be achieved by self-test questions in module materials, group discussion, informal peer assessment and assessed and non-assessed exercises.

Summative Assessment will be undertaken on an individual basis by way of assignment which constitutes 100% of the marks for this module. This assignment aims to encourage a deep and critical approach to learning, developing an ability to think widely about the issues presented within the module and to explore these in-line with directed and independent learning.

The module is assessed by coursework with a maximum word limit of 3,000 words. The assessment will take the form of a discursive essay question which will be designed to facilitate examination of specific aspects of relevant law and related legal research and may include discussion of recent developments, where appropriate.
Assessment criteria will be provided to enable you to understand what is expected of you and how you will be judged on your performance.

You will be provided with appropriate written or oral feedback (as appropriate), and, as part of your reflective development, such feedback can be utilised in the preparation of subsequent module assessments on the programme.
You will be provided with appropriate written or oral feedback (as appropriate), and, as part of your reflective development, such feedback can be utilised in the preparation of subsequent module assessments on the programme.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

What happens if someone disses you on Snapchat? What if you’ve been catfished on Facebook? Can you do anything if someone steals your pictures on Instagram? What if Amazon Echo spies on you? The ‘Cyber Law’ module aims at exploring the legal issues in the Internet and related technologies and phenomena, with a particular focus on the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things is the world of inter-connected objects, including your smartphone, your smart watch, robots, drones, and driverless cars. With $737 billion of global spending on the IoT in 2016 and 200 billion devices predicted to be around by 2020, lawyers can no longer overlook the Internet of Things. The main legal issues of the cyberspace that will be explored are consumer protection, privacy, (tort and contract) liability, intellectual property and cybersecurity.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time

Department Northumbria Law School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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