module specification

Due to the rapid expansion of social media and the outreach of those who employ it, it is having an unparalleled effect in regards to its potential to influence, harm, offend or impede the individual rights of others, as well as on people breaking laws sometimes without the knowledge of the legal repercussions that will follow. For example, the growth of social networking sites has seen the number of defamation cases increase exponentially.

This emerging area of law is not just concerned with civil actions being brought forward: there has been an upsurge in criminal cases due to people’s activities online - harassment, impersonation and sending malicious communications - all of which can lead to large fines or prison sentences. These are just some of the effects the misuse of social media sites is having on society.

The module aims to develop a detailed appreciation and understanding of the legal issues raised by the growing importance of social media in the business context. As a key area affecting the media sector this module is designed to provide essential legal coverage of a major contemporary area of modern life.

MODULE AIMS

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to

• understand the legal, social, and cultural context underpinning the law and policy relating to social media law;
• understand the potential tortious, contractual and criminal repercussions inherent in the use of social media;
• relate relevant concepts and cases in contemporary social media management issues and cases;
• understand the current legal challenges relating to social media exploitation;
• critically evaluate case study-based problem questions;
• construct legal writing with the employment of social media law cases.

No pre-requisites. Not available for Study Abroad.

• Contracts made via social media;
• Social media libel and malicious communications;
• Online harassment, trolling, cyber-bullying;
• Disclosure and use of confidential information, misuse of private information, invasion of privacy;
• Breach of copyright and other intellectual property rights in data, content and images;
• Right to be forgotten;
• Contempt of Court through using social media;
• Cyber-squatting;
• Unlawful use or disclosure of personal data and claims under the Data Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (“GDPR”).

Overview

Students will be taught by a combination of online lectures, interactive online seminars, one-to-one supervision, and self-study of a comprehensive module, with students encouraged to read from specified case law and legal journals. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues as well as practical problem solving.  Students will be supported in undertaking on-line research using electronic law databases and encouraged to use on line legal resources on a regular basis. There is a virtual learning environment containing handbooks, lecture notes, weblinks, discussion groups, study skills materials and assessment criteria. 

Experiential Learning

Students will be encouraged to respond to realistic case-studies relating to the sector, giving written legal opinions to clients in the style of a professional legal advisor. Students will also be able to participate in the extracurricular experiential learning offered within the Law School, including the Pro Bono Clinic and the Mooting Club.

Study Support

Students will have regular access to module tutors by email and by one-to-one video conferences to support their studies. They will also engage with one formative assessment for each module, which will be marked promptly with opportunities for feedback either by email or individual online discussion.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Comprehend and manage a substantial body of legal knowledge relating to the use and misuse of social media.

2. Evaluate the commercial and government policy implications of the regulation of social media and appreciate its economic and social balance;

3. Critically analyse the importance of social media within the wider media sector;

4. Research and manage legal information from paper and IT resources and present competent legal arguments in writing;

5. Synthesise relevant case law and statute, understand and present conflicting arguments and apply the law to problem scenarios relevant to aspects of social media.

The module adopts the assessment strategy principles of GSBL which have been developed in the spirit of ESJ. These are:

1. The School is committed to ensuring that each student should not have more no more than 2 assessment points per 20 credit module.
2. We provide balanced forms of assessment, both in terms of its overall volume (measured in terms of assessment points and output required and the types used.
3. Group activities are part of the learning and teaching strategies but assessment is at the level of the individual. Thus, assessment focused on individual reflections and learning from participating in a group activity.
4. Flexibility/choice in assessment methods will be introduced wherever possible in order to facilitate different learning studies and support personalization

Assessment of the module will be by way of a multi-media portfolio, which may include written/power point presentations, online blogs and video film etc. presenting a critical analysis of contemporary legal issues relating to social media and the law.

In line with our policy on facilitating formative feedback to students, the assessment strategy is designed to provide formative feedback on a piece of contributing summary assessment before another summative component is due to be submitted.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/9A690F7B-646C-B324-FB3E-99CDC1F2BD63.html?lang=en-US&login=1