Unit information: Information Technology Law in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name	Information Technology Law
Unit code	LAWD30003
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Vranaki
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
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

This unit will critically examine the legal and regulatory challenges raised by information and communications technologies, such as cloud computing, social media, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. It will start by analysing the main theoretical debates about cyberspace regulation. It will then move on to consider to what extent law has successfully responded to the challenges raised by the Digital Age by considering topics, such as data privacy, intellectual property, cyber-crime, State surveillance and freedom of expression.

This unit will engage with the laws of England & Wales. Given the global nature of the Internet, this unit will also often engage with the laws of other jurisdictions including Europe and America. Consequently, students may often have to engage with legal and academic materials from multiple jurisdictions.

This unit does not require an in-depth understanding of contemporary information and communications technologies. It is primarily focused on the legal and regulatory implications of digital technologies and platforms as well as the intended and unintended consequences of regulating digital ecosystems.

Your learning on this unit

By the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to explain:

The complex body of laws which apply to innovative and emerging information and communications technologies;
The main theoretical debates about cyberspace regulation;
The role of law in regulating innovative digital ecosystems.

Students should also be able to:

State the law accurately;
Critically assess both theories and the law; and discuss potential solutions to the legal and regulatory issues raised by the Digital Age including the usefulness or otherwise of law reform.
This unit is also intended to improve skills relating to research – in particular, the ability to research legal issues and areas of law.

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities

How you will be assessed

1 x summative assessment: coursework with a specified word count (100%)

The assessment will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.

Resources

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. LAWD30003).

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 Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Unit and programme catalogues

Academic year

Unit information: Information Technology Law in 2022/23