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IS41190

Academic Year 2025/2026

Regulation and Emerging Technology (IS41190)

Subject:
Information Studies
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Information & Comms Studies
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Lauren Teeling
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.


This course is aimed at those interested in media law and policy. The law in various guises intersects, governs, shapes and restricts your daily engagement with media. The practical application of the law in these different industries requires balancing the rights and interests that will be explored through the delivery of this course, from protecting the rights to privacy and a good name to recognising the importance of ensuring freedom of expression in a democratic society.

This course provides insights into relevant legal principles as they pertain to both traditional and new media. Knowledge of traditional media regulation is essential to have a holistic understanding of law and policy as it pertains to digital or new media. Thinking about how existing laws and policies might (or might not) apply to new forms of technology and media allows us to unravel the role of both law and media in society.

New technologies create enormous challenges in terms of monitoring and enforcement, especially in the case of digital technology: from competition policy to copyright enforcement, data protection and the regulation of AI. This module aims to introduce students to some of the contemporary landmark regulations that concern digital technologies whilst providing a historical and social context for these developments.

The module will cover some of the landmark pieces of legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (EU), the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill (OSMR, Ireland), UK Online Safety Bill, Digital Services Act (EU), European Media Freedom Act (EU), Digital Millennium Copyright Act, (US) and the EU AI Act.

There is no expectation of any knowledge of law or the operation of legal systems. The readings, course approach and materials take this into account.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal principles relevant to media technologies (e.g copyright, defamation, data protection).
2. Critically analyse the regulation of all forms of media including print, broadcast and social media.
3. Examine landmark pieces of legislation shaping internet law (such as GDPR, Digital Services Act, Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Online Safety Bills (Ireland and UK), EU Artificial Intelligence Act
4. Critically examine digital and emerging technology regulation (from the standpoint of implications for rights such as privacy and freedom of expression, equality, children's rights)
5. Show knowledge of the online safety topics and legislation concerning protecting minors online


Indicative Module Content:

This module relies on readings from disciplines such as law, communication and media studies, sociology, internet studies, science technology and society (STS) and internet governance, among others. Lectures will cover the historical, social and economic contexts in which relevant pieces of regulation emerged and they will provide a critical examination of the above mentioned pieces of legislation.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

176
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
● Lecture
● In-class discussion
● Critical reading and writing
● Desk research

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: To be described at the beginnning of term Week 14 Graded Yes
70
 Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: To be described at the beginning of term Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded Yes
30
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
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