Information Technology is characterised by the ease and speed with which data can be processed and communicated. Whilst generally beneficial, these characteristics have created new legal problems e.g. computer hacking, abuse of personal data. In Information Technology Law we will consider the way law has responded to these difficulties. This will involve a study of:

- data protection
- computer crime
- the Internet
- intellectual property and IT
- civil liability

This 15 credit module will be delivered through 9 interactive lectures and 3 seminars each of 2 hours duration.

Interactive Lectures
9 interactive lectures of 2 hour duration each for a total of 18 hours.

Guided Independent Study through Tutorials
At the end of each 2 hour lecture, students will be given a tutorial for guided independent study. The tutorial will be made available through the module VLE page and will contain pointers to relevant legal electronic databases such as Westlaw, Lexis, LawTel etc. Tutorial answers will be submitted through the VLE for feedback by module tutors. Each tutorial will involve 4 hours of guided independent study for a total of 36 hours of guided independent study.

Seminars and Unguided Independent Study
Three 2-hour seminars will be held on the 4th, 8th and 12th week for a total of 6 seminar hours. Seminar questions will be included in the module handbook. The seminars will be supported by research and personal study. Students will be expected to spend 10 hours of unguided independent study for each seminar for a total of 30 hours of unguided independent study.

A report comprised with 1500 words (weighted 30%) (assessing learning outcomes 3-4)

A multi-media presentation of 15 minutes (weighted at 70%) assessing learning outcomes 1-2.

Access to appropriate texts, legislation and case law.
Module Study Guides
Computing facilities will be needed to access material available on the web and specialist on-line databases.

Lloyd, I. (2020). Information Technology Law, 9th ed. Oxford.

Andrew Murray (2019). Information Technology Law, 4th ed. Oxford.¿

1.SHOW A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES ARISING FROM THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Knowledge & Understanding

2.CRITICALLY EVALUATE AND REVIEW THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE RELEVANT LEGAL FRAMEWORK ACHIEVES A SATISFACTORY BALANCE BETWEEN COMPETING INTERESTS
Analysis
Reflection

3. USE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL TO DEBATE AND PRESENT HIGHLY COMPLEX LEGAL ARGUMENTS PROPOSALS AND IDEAS
Communication

4. ENQUIRE INTO RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSETS AND ELECTRONIC DATA WITHIN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
Enquiry
Problem Solving