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LAW42370

Academic Year 2026/2027

Internet Content Regulation (LAW42370)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Katie Nolan
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module explores the law and regulatory frameworks governing content on the internet. Students will engage with key legal instruments shaping online expression, particularly from an EU law perspective. Students will be exposed to different approaches to thinking about problems of online expression, including the role that internet architectures play in shaping internet content governance and different legal strategies for responsibility. Together with learning about the generally applicable legal framework, this module will also introduce students to a range of case studies exploring questions of content regulation in specific areas (e.g. child protection and AI generated content).

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this modules, students will be able to:
Describe and apply the legal framework of internet content regulation, to real life case studies and hypothetical fact scenarios.
Critically appraise the legal framework of internet content regulation.
Discuss and analyse key conceptual and theoretical debates underpinning internet content regulation.
Distinguish and compare between different approaches to internet content regulation.

Indicative Module Content:

Legal frameworks for content moderation
Liability based approaches
User safeguards
Enforcement and procedures
Out-of-court dispute settlement bodies
Responsibility for AI generated content
Authentication technologies and child protection
Gender based harms and feminist approaches to content regulation

(Content may vary year-to-year)

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:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

250
Lectures

24
Total

274

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will mix lecturer guided sessions and student led discussions in an interactive fashion.

Certain sessions will require students to prepare mandatory reading, in order to meaningfully participate in the class discussions. Required readings will be communicated to students in advance via Brightspace.

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. 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
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): Closed book terminal examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
100
 No

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.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
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.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Bernd Justin Jütte Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Tj McIntyre Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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