Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LIT1001

 
TITLE Introduction to ICT Law

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Information Policy and Governance

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit explores the building blocks of ICT and Law. The study-unit will be delivered through an analysis of the following areas:

Information Law - This section of the study-unit will focus on the core characteristics of the 'information society' focusing on the relationship of information flows and the distribution of power in society will be examined. This will include an analysis of the notion of flows of informatiion and its relevance in specific areas of substantive law.

Data Protection and Privacy Law - This section of the study-unit examines data protection legislation, informational self-determination and privacy. This section will introduce to the students to the history behind data protection law, EU and COE initiatives, Maltese legislation as well as sectoral rules relating to data protection. Privacy aspects relating to data retention will also be examined.

Electronic Commerce Law - This section of the study-unit will examine the legal issues surrounding electronic commerce with particular reference to European and Maltese legislation including electronic documents and electronic contracts, digital signatures and internet security, new technologies as well as ISP liabilities.

Study-unit Aims

The study-unit will introduce the close relationship that is constantly increasing between law and information technology, the importance of technology neutral legal frameworks and the challenges created by technology on the way we legislate and regulate technology and its use.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to appreciate the basic notions, close relationships and existing challenges of ICT and law.

2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills):
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to transpose traditional legal concepts into today's technological world as well as understand the legislative developments and their impact on technology and society through a solid analysis of both local as well as international statues and recent important cases.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Bennett, C.J. & Raab, C.D. (2003). The Governance of Privacy. Policy instruments in global perspective. Ashgate: United Kingdom.

- Carey, P. (2009). Data Protection: A practical guide to UK and EU law (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press: Oxford, United Kingdom.

- Clayton, R. & Hugh, T. (2010). Privacy and Freedom of Expression (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press: Oxford, United Kingdom.

- Colvin, M. (2002). Developing Key Privacy Rights. Hart Publishing: United Kingdom.

- Lloyd, I. J. (2011). Information Technology Law (6th ed.). Oxford University Press: Oxford, United Kingdom.

- Lessig, L. Code 2.0. Online version.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Antonio Ghio

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit