LW7098 - Cyber Law

This module is offered on both the full-time and the part-time, distance-learning delivery model. For both models, the module will employ lectures and seminars to provide an opportunity to discuss the various aspects of space, cyber and telecommunications. These sessions will consolidate your understanding and allow you to critically analyse the various interdependencies that exist in relation to the three areas and other industries. If you are studying in part-time, distance-learning, you will be offered the opportunity to take part in virtual, synchronous seminars and all supporting materials will be made available for you. During your seminars, you will be afforded opportunities to undertake research, to consider how to effectively reference legal sources, and to analyse and debate the evolution of the cyber, space and telecoms regime. You will undertake tasks both individually and in groups. Throughout the module you will receive feedback from your tutors and from fellow students and you will be encouraged to reflect upon this to improve your research, writing and understanding of the intricacies of the subject. Your module is supported by a range of electronic materials, which are made available to all students via the eLearning platform (Blackboard Ultra). These include lecture recordings, written guidance, podcasts, YouTube videos, and self-test exercises. You will receive a module handbook which outlines the formal sessions (lectures and seminars) and provides details of independent study/learning.

The members of staff who teach on this module have significant research experience in respect of the law of outer space. As such, they will be the principal source of academic support in the module. All lectures will be recorded and made available to students to aid in learning and understanding. You will be encouraged to use this resource to develop your appreciation of the interrelated nature of the disparate areas of law studied as part of the module. The module will make use of an online reading list. The reading list will provide you with links to key texts and information on their availability in the university library. The University is well-placed to support you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software. This module has been designed and is managed by your designated Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on the module, whether studying on-campus or as part of the distance learning provision. All relevant materials and instructions including notes and recordings for lectures and seminars will be accessible on-line through the Blackboard Ultra site. The site is maintained by your Module Tutor, who will also provide updates on issues of current legal/space significance as appropriate. In respect of support for your assessment, you will be provided with appropriate written or oral feedback (as appropriate), and, as part of your reflective development, such feedback can be utilised in the preparation of subsequent module assessments on the programme. At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader and personal tutor who will provide academic and pastoral support throughout the module and the programme. If you are studying this module as a part-time, distance-learning student, you will also receive augmented online support from the module tutor.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be able to display and critically apply expert knowledge of the law relating to cyber law both in the UK and globally.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2 You will be able to analyse and communicate complex legal and policy issues relating to cyber law.
3 You will be able to critically evaluate source material, suggest alternative approaches to the cyber law and its application in practice and reflect on the application of your knowledge and that of others within practical contexts.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. You will be able to critically evaluate source material, suggest alternative approaches to cyber law and its application in practice and reflect on the application of your knowledge and that of others within practical contexts.

Formative assessment will be achieved by self-test questions in module materials, group discussion, informal peer assessment and assessed and non-assessed exercises.

Summative Assessment will be undertaken on an individual basis by way of assignment, which constitutes 100% of the marks for this module. This assignment aims to encourage a deep and critical approach to learning, developing an ability to think widely about the issues of space governance presented within the module and to explore these in line with directed and independent learning.

The maximum word limit for the assessment is 3,000 words.
Assessment criteria will be provided to enable you to understand what is expected of you and how you will be judged on your performance. You will be provided with appropriate written or oral feedback (as appropriate), and, as part of your reflective development, such feedback can be fed-forward into the preparation of subsequent module assessments on the programme.

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The ‘Cyber Law’ module aims at exploring the legal issues in the Internet and related technologies and phenomena. There are many legal issues associated with the cyberspace that will be explored such as privacy, liability, intellectual property and cybersecurity. This is an exciting and dynamic module where real-world issues will be reflected upon and ideas for reform will be considered. Studying on this module, you will learn to critically evaluate the governance of cyberspace at the international, regional, and national levels and look at the security and safety concerns around the use of cyberspace. From international approaches to dealing with cybercrime to considering the role of private companies in managing online activity, this module will provide a contemporary, relevant and current examination of all of the legal aspects of human activity in cyber space.