THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
- ARCHIVE as at 13 January 2011 for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Law : Law

Postgraduate Course: Information: Control and Power (LAWS11180)

Course Outline
School School of Law College College of Humanities and Social Science
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits 20
Home subject area Law Other subject area None
Course website http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/ahrc/teaching/llm/ Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description This module will investigate, through a range of legal disciplines and perspectives, the growing focus placed on, and value attached to, information by society and individuals; concerns as to its control and misuse; and the impact of this on business and government, particularly in the light of the opportunities and challenges of evolving technologies.

The module will consider legal regimes relating to freedom of information and data protection; the extent to which present systems conform to expectations in respect of information privacy and access, and environmental progress; the extent to which intellectual property rights can and do exist in respect of basic data and information, and the consequences of this, particularly in the light of new means of obtaining and recording information; human rights law and policy, with particular reference to privacy, open media, freedom of expression and access to education; ethical issues; the ability of competition law and policy to intervene in respect of misuse of information and its control by individuals, companies and groups, by the use of existing and ground breaking technologies; the impact of the WTO, GATS and free trade agreements; and the possible impact of different regulatory structures. A wide ranging international approach will be adopted, with contributions sought from students in respect of their own jurisdictions.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Students should have regular and reliable access to the Internet.

Print consumables (paper and ink) would be recommended to provide hard copy of some on screen text and materials (e.g. articles).
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
No Classes have been defined for this Course
First Class First class information not currently available
Additional information This course is taught by distance learning.
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
The aims of this module are to:

- explore the extent to which access to and use of information and data is controlled;

- consider the implications of this for privacy, commercial and international development, environmental progress, education and freedom of expression;

and

- assess whether academic and policy debate in this area is progressing in a sufficiently holistically manner, and whether there are opportunities for further interaction of disciplines.

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

- assess when obligations arise under data protection and freedom of information legislation;

- evaluate when information should and should not be recorded, retained, re-used or shared;

- analyse the extent to which developments in information and privacy can impact upon individuals and business, and the appropriate balance between these interests;

- form a view on the roles of IP, competition, world trade law and regulation, human rights and ethics in the field of information control, and the implications for private, corporate and development interests wherever situated;

and

- assess when, if ever, control of information should be possible.
Assessment Information
One essay of up to 5,000 words (60%); one piece of assessed work (20%); contribution to online discussions (20%).
Special Arrangements
This course is taught by distance learning.
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords Information.
Intellectual Property.
Competition.
Regulation.
Trade.
Human Rights
Contacts
Course organiser Dr Abbe Brown
Tel: (0131 6)50 2031
Email: abbe.brown@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Ms Clare Neilson
Tel:
Email: clare.neilson@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Timetab
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2011 6:18 am