| Unit name | Information Technology Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWDM0070 |
| Credit points | 30 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Boz |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
We all rely on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in our daily lives. We engage with numerous IT providers and interact with other stakeholders in cyberspace. It is thus essential to understand how these information technologies emerge and how the relationships between particular ICT providers and other stakeholders are regulated. It is of utmost importance to understand and critically assess the competence of various regulatory responses to the pressing problems arising from personal data processing and algorithmic practices. This includes the regulation of cyberspace, regulation of artificial intelligence systems, or the digital technologies’ impact on fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to privacy, data protection, or freedom of speech. The IT law unit will give you foundational knowledge of the workings of the most prominent digital technologies and introduce you to the key regulatory theories, laws, debates and concepts in the area. Building on recent case studies, you will learn how such insights apply to real-world concerns.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit offers foundational knowledge in information technology law. It is a mandatory unit for the LLM in Law, Innovation and Technology students, as it equips them with skills and knowledge that will be utilised in other parts of the LLM programme. Considering the introductory-level approach and the range of topics that this unit offers, even if you study on another LLM programme at Bristol and focus on, for instance, human rights law, commercial law or employment law, you will still benefit from understanding the issues arising out of developing information technologies and can build connection between these units.
An Overview of Content
This unit will start by analysing the main theoretical debates about cyberspace regulation. It will then move on to examine the legal and regulatory challenges raised by innovative and emerging digital technologies in various areas of IT Law ranging from data protection to AI regulation.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will understand the regulatory challenges arising from information technologies and will be able to holistically respond to these issues as you will have been introduced to different regulatory approaches and views on their governance. This foundational knowledge on such an extensive breadth of knowledge will help you in the job market not only if you are interested in working in IT law but also in other relevant legal fields (e.g., employment law, contracts, consumer law, criminal law) as information technology law complements those very well.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
Alongside the formative activities described above, the unit will utilise a wide variety of different teaching and learning methods, ranging from asynchronous activities e.g., suggested reading, class presentations as well as more traditional lectures/discussions during lectures and seminar sessions.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
There will be one formative coursework (1000 words max) that will not count towards the final unit mark. This coursework will require students to write an essay plan on a topic to be provided by the unit coordinator. The topic will align with the subjects taught in this unit. The essay plan will outline your research project. It will consist of an abstract, keywords, outline of arguments and sections, and an annotated high-quality bibliography. The students will be expected to conduct research beyond the unit’s syllabus in developing their essay plan. This formative exercise will help students prepare for the summative assessment. Students will receive individual and general feedback.
Moreover, during the lectures and seminars there will be other types of tasks that will help you prepare for summative assessment such as preparing for seminar questions before each session and group activities in both lectures and seminars. These activities are designed to help you prepare for the summative assessment and will not count towards your unit mark.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
This unit will be assessed by one coursework (4,000 words). This coursework will be submitted at the end of Teaching Block 1. This coursework will require students to write a research essay. The research essay topics will be provided by the unit coordinator and will be set based on the syllabus. It will require a critical assessment and will assess all intended learning outcomes for this unit. The students are expected to conduct research beyond the unit reading list in their coursework. This assessment will cover all Intended Learning Outcomes for this unit.
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, the unit will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis with new assessment questions.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWDM0070).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
