Postgraduate Course: Communications Law (LAWS11300)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This module covers the regulation of communications networks and services, from the early regulation of telegraph projects, through the regulation and liberalisation of telecommunications law over the course of the 20th century, to the present-day, EU-led system for electronic communications.
Attention is paid to the major regulatory agencies, including domestic (Ofcom in the UK, the Federal Communications Commission in the US), European Union, and international (International Telecommunications Union). The module explores a range of legal and policy questions, including price control, social and universal service obligation, separation and new entry, technological neutrality (e.g. between wired and wireless), cross-border agreements, and consumer protection.
The interaction between communications law and other forms of regulation (e.g. competition, media, trade) is explored, as are perspectives on the communications industries from other disciplines, particularly the relationship between law and innovation.
Aims & objectives:
Through careful attention to the work of regulatory agencies and the way in which industry and stakeholders articulate their positions in relation to controversial legal and political issues, the practical elements of communications law are emphasised. This is situated in the context of due consideration of the history of communications law, as well as critical material from a number of jurisdictions. Students are encouraged to see how the high-level principles of legislation and major court decisions are used in practice, and how a wide range of regulatory strategies are adopted by states today. |
| Course description |
1. Communications law: rationales, development, challenges
2. Why regulate the Internet? An infrastructure for free speech
3. Why regulate the Internet? Liberalisation, competition and industry efficiency
4. Who regulates the Internet? Global governance of communications networks and its challenges
5. Who regulates the Internet? The regulatory design of the communications industry at European and national level
6. Authorisation, licensing and access today
7. Universal service and consumers' rights
8. Net neutrality
9. Network integrity, cybersecurity and online crimes
10. Privacy, data protection and the right to be forgotten
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Please contact the distance learning team at escript.support@ed.ac.uk |
| Additional Costs | Students must have regular and reliable access to the Internet. |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 40,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
156 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One essay of up to 4,000 words (60%); one individual assignment (20%); contribution to weekly online discussions throughout the semester (20%). Requirements for all module assessment will be outlined to students within the individual modules at the start of each semester. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 40,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
156 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One essay of up to 4,000 words (60%); one individual assignment (20%); contribution to weekly online discussions throughout the semester (20%). Requirements for all module assessment will be outlined to students within the individual modules at the start of each semester. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the legal issues arising in the communications industry (including user/consumer perspectives)
- Appreciate the limits on administrative action in the UK and elsewhere
- Engage in debate as to the type of regulatory measures appropriate for different forms of communication
- Comprehend the role of international law (hard and soft) for this field
|
Additional Information
| Course URL |
http://edin.ac/1wVRoOm |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Special Arrangements |
This course is taught by online distance learning |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
This course is taught by online distance learning |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Paolo Cavaliere
Tel: (0131 6)51 5137
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Clare Polson
Tel: (0131 6)51 4411
Email: |
|
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