LAW37700

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to:

* Describe the main legal rules and non-statutory regulations which shape the conduct of internet business and users in Ireland.
* Discuss and critically assess the way in which internet regulation has developed at a national and European level.
* Assess factual situations relating to internet use, identify relevant legal rules, and advise on the rights and liabilities arising out of those situations.

Indicative Module Content:

The main issues that will be covered in this module include:

• The importance of the internet in modern society, in terms of the free flow of information, the conducting of business, and the assertion of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression.

• The operations of the main internet platforms such as internet services providers (email hosts, domain name registration, internet access providers), e-commerce platforms (online marketplace, auction sites, payment systems), participative networking platforms (social media, video-sharing and blogging platforms), and internet search engines. The key pieces of legislation governing these platforms will be examined, their liability for the content they host, and developing plans to impose further regulation at both domestic and international level.

• Harmful speech online, and the specific issues pertaining to defamation, harassment and hate speech online. This will include a look behind the media headlines concerning such recurring topics as “revenge porn”, “cancel culture” and “fake news”, and a detailed consideration of the legal principles pertaining to each.

• The scope of Data Protection law, the main provisions of the GDPR, and the parameters and emerging case law of the “Right to be Forgotten”.

• How the internet has changed the way we work and conduct commercial transactions, and the law concerning online advertising, online reviews and the “gig economy”.

• The challenges to intellectual property rights created by the internet, including large scale copyright violations, trade-mark appropriation in online advertising, and domain name disputes.

• The prosecution of cybercrime such as hacking, fraud and sexual offences.

• How the internet has affected court procedures, including the introduction of remote hearings, the use of evidence from social media platforms, and the challenges of preventing contempt of court via the internet.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

This class will be taught using a mix of lectures, problem-based learning and blended learning.

Students on this module are expected to have read and understood the UCD Academic Integrity Policy and the School Protocol on Academic Integrity. Students must ensure that they comply with all requirements laid down therein and avoid academic misconduct. Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence, or other machine learning technology, in their learning on this module. Because this module is assessed by an unseen, invigilated examination, no formal citation methodology is prescribed

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be available on a group basis after assessment, including discussion of points which students were expected to cover in answering the topics set.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.