LW3TEC: Technology, Privacy and Internet Regulation

Module code: LW3TEC

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Kyriaki Noussia, email: k.p.noussia@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Vicky Kapogianni, email: v.kapogianni@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores the role of law in regulating technology, introducing students to technical concepts and considering the role, and limitations, of the law. It considers topics such as the regulation of technology and the internet; data protection; cybercrime; cryptocurrencies and cyber-enabled financial crime, but topics may vary year from year.  

Aims:

This module provides students with an understanding of the challenges of regulating developing technologies and cyberspace, with a particular focus on issues relating to liberty, the internet and online environment, and the financial crime threats posed. The module domestic, international, and comparative perspective to examine specific legal problems that have arisen or been driven by technological development.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key legal issues concerning new technologies, data and information privacy, and the internet and apply this to critically evaluate current regulatory issues in these fields; 
2. Critically appraise sources and research material on differing regulatory theory in technology, privacy and cyberspace based on emerging issues in order to formulate coherent arguments that tackle the problems posed. 
3. Research and technology skills in preparing for and completing the seminars and assessments; 
4. High-level oral communication skills developed through reflective class discussion. 

Module content

The module will cover emerging challenges relating to technology, privacy and cyberspace, such as: 

• Blockchain, cryptocurrencies and financial regulation 
• Cybercrime 
• Data protection 
• Cyber enabled financial crime 
• Cyber-security 
• Internet regulation 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered through lectures and workshops; the workshops will be interactive and require preparation to enable full participation in class discussions. 

Study hours

At least 19 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

1 page essay plan 

Reassessment

Additional costs