This module introduces students to the E-Commerce Law contextualised to the contemporary digital environments. Indicative content includes:

1. Foundation of E-Commerce Law: sources and jurisdiction.

2. Laws relating to electronic contracts: Formation of electronic contracts, contractual terms, communicating offer/acceptance, electronic signatures. Electronic/online payments and cryptocurrency.

3. Digital content and intellectual property rights: copyright in computer software, digital creativity & copyright, copyright infringement in digital world, database rights.

4. Consumer Protection: consumer rights in distance and online selling, regulation of spam, consumer rights act 2015, digital content, enforcement of consumer protection legislation.

Coursework - Written assignment weighted at 100% assessing learning outcomes 1, 2, 3.

Working towards the assessment tasks will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process, and to improve their ability to meet the learning outcomes to a high standard.

In preparation of the summative assessment, students will have the opportunity to complete a formative assessment, in the form of a short academic task. Students undertaking the formative assessment will receive written feedback on their performance and will have the opportunity to arrange face to face feedback with the module tutor. Completing the formative assignment will contribute to improving students’ skills in research, critical analysis & academic writing.

Assessment will be an integral part of the module. There will be one assessment point and workshops focused on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable. Earlier tasks will be shorter and more succinct, enabling fast feedback from the tutors so that students can learn and improve for later assessment tasks. At least one task will be of the active variety such as a verbal presentation, group activity or similar. Formative feedback will be provided wherever possible.

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 200 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 161 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks.

Contact will include a mixture of small and larger group activities, much of it based on the principles of practice and problem-based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem or issue, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter.

Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.

The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require group work and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.

WHOLE GROUP SESSIONS

In these sessions students will be introduced to the general concepts underlying the subject and be provided with an outline of the relevant legislative provisions and case law. Students will be given study packs and handouts. Some of the sessions will include collaborative activities to focus on skills such as team-work, presentation and research. Students will also be given instruction in interactive use of blackboard to develop their research, teamwork and self-reflective skills.

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS

These will be preceded by a period of independent student-centred learning. The module study guides contain indicative reading, problem solving and research-based exercises and direction to online exercises in the keeping of self-reflective journals as well as teamwork exercises. The purpose of the small group sessions is to help students assess their understanding of the subject, to develop skills of analysis, problem solving and application of the law to practical situations.

DIRECTED STUDY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING

This will consist of preparation for the work to be undertaken in the workshops and also assessment. Students will be provided with guidance in their module study guide, lecture materials and via Blackboard. A significant amount of on-line guided support will be provided via Blackboard and this will include further reading, research exercises, and on-line collaboration to support workshop preparation. The independent learning activities encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the principles of contract and provide practice in preparation for assessments. Students will be expected to keep a self-reflective journal throughout the module.

1. Identify, describe and explain key statutory, policy and common law provisions relevant to E-Commerce law.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Analyse, interpret and evaluate legal and policy provisions relevant to an area of E-Commerce practice and law.

Knowledge and Understanding,
Learning
Analysis and Application

3. Identify, select and deploy a range of appropriate primary and secondary resources drawn from Law, Business and other relevant fields.

Knowledge and Understanding
Enquiry

Westlaw/Lexis Nexis/Lawtrove

Lloyd, Ian J. Information technology law. Oxford University Press, 2017.
Murray, Andrew. Information technology law: the law and society. 4th Edition. Oxford University Press, 2019.
Todd, Paul. E-commerce Law. Routledge-Cavendish, 2017.