Postgraduate Course: Data Protection and Information Privacy (LAWS11188)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The purpose of this course is to consider the law relating to data protection and privacy. Recent years have seen a heightened awareness of data protection and privacy issues, largely dominated by the introduction of the new EU data protection framework under the GDPR. We are also operating in a world where phrases such as 'Big data', 'Smart cities', AI and 'the Internet of Things' are becoming commonplace, and the course will consider whether or not data protection laws are appropriate to cope with the pressures which developments in technology are bringing. The course will focus on the principles at the heart of data protection and examine their application to specific settings. It will also consider how the new EU laws are likely to change the current data protection landscape. |
| Course description |
Among other things, the course will take a detailed look at:
1. The terminology and underlying principles of data protection.
2. The legal grounds for lawful processing of personal data.
3. The data protection principles.
4. Rights of the data subject
5. Cross-border data transfers.
6. Enforcement and sanctions.
7. The E-Privacy regime.
The aims and objectives of this course are to:
1. Give an introduction to the history of EU data protection law
2. Provide an overview of the basic principles of data protection law in a European and international context.
3. Explore the rights of data subjects and how they have developed over time and in response to technological evolution
4. Discuss the data protection issues arising when personal data is exported to third countries.
5. Examine the special rules that apply to electronic communications
By the end of the course, students should have obtained:
* A general understanding of the fundamental principles of data protection and information privacy
* A detailed and specific knowledge of data protection issues arising in the specific contexts.
* An appreciation of some of the current challenges faced by data controllers, data subjects, policy makers and regulators.
* A basic grounding in research skills and techniques in the area of data protection and information privacy.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Please note that this course welcomes both students who have no previous knowledge of Data Protection Law as well as those who do. Consequently, the course will include discussion of both the basics of the substantive law in relation to the above as well as looking at more detailed aspects. |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 50 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 4,
Formative Assessment Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
168 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One essay of 5,000 words (100%). |
| Feedback |
Students are required to actively participate within the class. Participation may take the form of oral or written contributions as well as taking part in-class quizzes and tasks via student response systems such as Top Hat.
In addition students will have the opportunity to provide a piece of work for formative assessment. This will consist in a short essay of up to 1000 words in response to the question set. This question will be handed out in week 4 for return a few weeks later.
Feedback will comprise comments on the substantive question as well as the general approach to learning.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Appreciate the variety of institutions involved in the field of data protection and privacy and understand their role and functions in policy making
- Understand the scope of data protection rights and the terminology used - eg, data controller, data processor, data subject
- Critically assess the development of the law and how changes affect different interests
- Explain ongoing developments in the law and contribute in an informed manner to ongoing debate as to the proper role of these rights.
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Reading List
A detailed list of key resources will be available at the start of the course.
We will consult a range of articles, which will be available in the School of Law library or on e-Reserve. There will also be much use of online material, including journals, blogs, regulatory guidance, CJEU case law and legislation.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The aims and objectives of this course are to:
(a) introduce students to certain general principles of data protection law,
(b) introduce students to certain general principles of confidentiality and privacy in relation to information,
(c) examine: (i) the law applicable to a particular area; (ii) the issues and problems that arise; and (iii) the attempts to deal with the issues or solve the problems, and
(d) develop written and oral skills, including the clear and succinct expression of ideas.
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
10 two-hour seminars |
| Keywords | Data Protection,Privacy,Internet of Things,Information Security,Right to be Forgotten,GDPR |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Judith Rauhofer
Tel: (0131 6)50 2008
Email: Judith.Rauhofer@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Bethan Walters
Tel: (0131 6)50 2386
Email: bethan.walters@ed.ac.uk |
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