The course looks at the intersection of Information Technology with law. Five broad subject areas have been identified within which this intersection is explored: from the impact of digital content, through the challenges and opportunities of a vastly more interconnected, perhaps "borderless" society. Anyone who was intrigued by the movie "The Social Network" will be interested in this course.

The 5 areas of study are:

   information technology and intellectual property;

   censorship;

   privacy;

   computer crime and evidence; and

   e-commerce and IT contracts.

An important component of the course is the cultivation of an understanding of the technology underlying information technology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Research, evaluate and apply the fundamental legal principles of information technology law covered in the course
2. Evaluate case law, legislation and scholarly writing in the area of Information technology law and communicate solutions to legal problems using both written and oral communication
3. Evaluate social implications of Information technology law when analysing domestic primary and secondary sources to produce solutions to legal problems
4. Undertake research in the area of Information Technology law and present findings using a variety of materials to a range of audiences

Research-Led Teaching

This is a relatively new area of the law, with new technologies and companies emerging all of the time. You will be expected to research new areas, and are welcome to suggest additional areas of interest in the new digital world. Surend has been working in this space as a founder of a successful startup and in Silicon Valley for over 25 years. Sarah is proficient and published in areas of information technology law, company law and business law. She has many years of experience as a business leader and legal practitioner, in both the private and public sectors. The course draws on the academic and practical experience of both Surend and Sarah.

Examination Material or equipment

Permitted Materials: Any except ANU library books and excluded electronic devices

Further information is available at: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-conduct

Required Resources

The prescribed text for the unit is Ian Lloyd Information Technology Law (9th Ed, Oxford University Press).

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements and updates relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and Scientific Development and Innovation
2	Artificial Intelligence and Regulation of Science and Technology
3	Artificial Intelligence and Regulation of Science and Technology
4	Online Censorship and Regulation of Censorship
5	Data Protection and Privacy
6	Social Media and Communications
7	E-commerce: Law, Technology and Commerical Transactions
8	Law, Technology and the Criminal Justice System
9	Cybercrime including Investigation, Jurisdiction and Prosecution
10	Intellectual Property
11	Intellectual Property
12	Future Directions of Information Technology Law and Revision

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research Essay Outline	0 %	24/03/2023	31/03/2023	1,2,3,4
Research Essay	60 %	26/04/2023	25/05/2023	1,2,3,4
Final Examination	40 %	*	29/06/2023	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the program. Students are expected to attend all classes.

If circumstances arise which are beyond a student’s control and they are unable to attend a class, the student should contact the Course Convenor in advance (where possible), so that the convenor can adjust their expectations in relation to numbers for that class. If it is not possible to give advance notice, students should send the convenor an email as soon as possible with evidence to support the reason for failure to attend. 

Examination(s)

Examinations are held during the University's examination period. Students should consult the exam timetable when it has been finalised.

Assessment Task 1

Research Essay Outline

Details of Task: This task is formative, and is designed to give you feedback to assist in the writing of your research essay. You will find more information about this task on the course Wattle site.

Nature of Task: Optional.

Weighting: 0%

Word limit: Approximately 600 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Submission Requirement: Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted. Footnotes should be used for the referencing of all sources. All references should be compliant with the current edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

Due Date: 5pm, Friday 24 March 2023. Submission via Turnitin. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated return date: Friday 31 March 2023

Assessment criteria: Not applicable.

Assessment Task 2

Research Essay

Details of Task: You will write an essay on a topic in one of the areas covered in week 2 to week 7. Specifically:

Artificial Intelligence, Censorship, Data Protection, Privacy, Social Media and Communications or Digital Transformation (IT Contracts & E-Commerce).

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task. Failure to submit Task 1 will result in the student not being able to receive any feedback before the essay is due.

Weighting: 60%

Release Date: Topics will be released on Wattle by 24 February 2023.

Word limit: 3600 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Submission Requirement: Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted. Footnotes should be used for the referencing of all sources. All references should be compliant with the current edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

Due Date: 5pm, Wednesday 26 April 2023. Submission must be via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 

Estimated return date: 25 May 2023 via Turnitin.

Assessment criteria:

• Understanding and discussion of relevant law.
• Critical evaluation of doctrine.
• Critical evaluation of material.
• Creative and originality of approach.
• Structure including logical development of content/material.
• Research of primary legal (case law and legislation) and scholarly secondary sources.

A research essay rubric is available on the course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 3

Final Examination

Details of Task: You will be given two questions in the topic areas of:

1.  Intellectual Property
2. Computer Crime & Evidence.

The Intellectual Property question will be a choice of an essay question and a problem-style question.

The Computer Crime & Evidence question will be a choice of an essay question and a problem-style question.

You must answer both questions: Intellectual Property and Computer Crime & Evidence.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.

Weighting: 40%

Due date: The exam will be held during the end-of-semester exam period. Please consult the ANU examinations timetable when it is released. Because this is a formal examination, late submissions will not be accepted. 

Permitted Materials: Any.

Estimated Return Date: Official end of semester results release date via Turnitin. 

Assessment Criteria: An exam rubric is available on the course Wattle site.

• Selects relevant issues.
• Understanding and discussion of relevant law.
• Analysis of relevant facts.
• Persuasiveness of arguments.
• Formulation of strong and clear conclusion(s) and advice about outcomes.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.
• Late submission is not accepted for tests or examinations.
• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.  

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students