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The use of computers and the Internet 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, loss of personal data & unsolicited commercial emails. In addition the demands of the business community to exploit the Internet have created challenges to the existing regulatory frameworks.

This module aims to consider the ways the law has responded to these difficulties. This will involve a study of data protection, computer crime, and other legal issues relating to electronic commerce.

1.  Introduction to Information Technology Law
2.  Computer Misuse
3.  Civil Liabilities
4.  e-Commerce
5.  Data Protection
6.  The Internet

On completion, you should be able to demonstrate these learning outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding of:

1. the fundamental doctrines and principles of Information Technology Law, and its social, economic and political context;
2. the crucial contemporary issues and / or new insights into Information Technology Law;
3. the major values and principles of the system;
4. the comparative context of Information Technology Law.

Intellectual/ thinking skills – able to:

1. analyse, interpret and critically evaluate complex legal issues systematically and creatively;
2. make sound judgments of the evidence, whether fully present or in the absence of complete data, whether in concurrence or competing, to arrive at logical conclusions
3. evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses;
4. continue to advance your knowledge and understanding of Information Technology Law.

Subject specific /Practical and professional skills – able to:

1. comprehensively understand the techniques applicable to your own research and to advanced scholarship to create and interpret knowledge in the relevant areas;
2. apply legal knowledge learnt with originality;
3. demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level;
4. communicate your conclusions clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
5. continue to develop skills to a higher level.

Transferable/key skills – able to:

1. exercise initiative and personal responsibility;
2. make decisions and provide solutions in complex and unpredictable situations;
3. learn independently;
4. read complex materials;
5. communicate;
6. make effective use of numerical and statistical information, as the basis of an argument;
7. work with information technology;
8. work with others.

Total Learning Hours = 300
Staff/Student Contact Time = 12%
Student Independent Study Time = 88%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.