Programme specification

This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.

SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD

Programme: Internet Law
Awarding body: University of Essex
Teaching institution: University of Essex
Department: Essex Law School
Final award: LLM
NQF Level of Qualification: Master
Full / Part Time Part time
QAA Benchmark Group: None
JACS code: M104
Publication date: 27/10/2014
Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions.
A good upper second class honours degree in Law or its equivalent, or an honours degree and substantial practical experience in a field related to the degree scheme. Where English is not the mother tongue, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 230/570.

SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.

Programme: LLM Internet Law

Programme aims:

Provide students with an advanced conceptual understanding of the methods, techniques and legal principles regarding law in the field of electronic communications which is informed by insight based on scholarship at the forefront of the discipline. Set the relevant law and policy in its business and global contexts. Develop critical, analytical and research skills, and transferable skills. Produce graduates capable of working in the field of electronic communications law as lawyers, regulators, legal advisers or researchers with governments and international and business organizations, and as academics. Produce graduates who can conduct independent research and construct coherent, well written papers.

Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

A1 : The fundamental doctrines and principles of law as it relates to various aspects of electronic. communications.
A2 : The political, economic and social framework in which the law of electronic communications operates, as well as the basic technical framework within which the communications industries operate.
A3 : How law relating to electronic communications is applied in various judicial and practical situations.
A4 : Some areas of the law relating to electronic communications in some depth.
A5 : Specific areas of the law relating to electronic communications in depth.

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

B1 : Identify accurately the issue(s) which require researching.
B2 : Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources.
B3 : Reason critically, identify, analyse, and solve complex problems, even in the absence of complete data.
B4 : Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.
B5 : Produce a comprehensive, coherent and sophisticated synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic.
B6 : Critically evaluate the merits of particular arguments and advanced scholarship in the field.
B7 : Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or methodologies and, where necessary, propose new hypotheses.
B8 : Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data, and communicate his/her conclusions clearly.
B9 : Demonstrate and exercise originality of thought in the application of knowledge.
B10 : Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using both paper and electronic sources.

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

C1 : Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using both paper and electronic sources.
C2 : Identify, select and retrieve non-legal information relevant to the law relating to electronic communications, using both paper and electronic sources.
C3 : Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts, not only in legal settings, but to applied problems, actual or hypothetical.
C4 : Plan and undertake tasks in and beyond complex areas of law that have already been studied; and Plan and autonomously undertake independent research in areas of law not previously studied.

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Communication:  D1 : (D1A) read and speak English proficiently so as to be able to understand and explain relevant primary and secondary legal material
IT Skills:  D2 : A student should be able to: (D2A) Produce a word-processed essay and other text in an appropriate form. (D2B) use the worldwide web, e-mail, and also some electronic information retrieval systems
Numeracy:  D3 : A student should be able to: (D3) Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form
Problem Solving:  D4 : A student should be able to: (D4A) analyse a complex set of facts, where necessary in unpredictable situations, and apply relevant law thereto; (D4B) from first principles, devise from existing laws a means by which to extend protection in a sphere where there has been none previously e.g. as a result of technical developments
Working with Others:  D5 : A student should be able: (D6A) with limited guidance, to reflect on his or her own learning, and to seek and make use of feedback; (D6B) to appreciate when s/he does not know enough and needs to undertake further research; (D6C) to continue to take his/her own knowledge and understanding further and to develop new skills to a sophisticated standard; (D6D) to exercise initiative and personal responsibility

Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

Learning Methods

A1 - A5 are acquired through large and smaller group interactive classes, which encourage dialogue between the students and teacher and between the students inter se, and through seminars which allow for dynamic interaction based on directed, pre-set reading. Additional guest lectures from specialists outside the department supplement the information provided to the students in relation to topical issues and practical aspects of the law in this area. Students are expected to undertake independent research for courses and, in particular, course essays and the dissertation. A5 is acquired in particular through the independent research for the dissertation, which is focussed on a particular topic.

Assessment Methods

Testing the knowledge-base for A1 - A4 is through course essays and the dissertation. A5 is assessed through the dissertation.

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

Learning Methods

Skills B1 - B9 are obtained and developed through seminars and larger group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and analysis of case material and problems (hypothetical and actual) under the direction of the course tutor. All skills are complemented by independent research for course essays and the dissertation. In addition, learning is enhanced by formative assessment of Skills B1, B3 and B7 in seminars and large group interactive classes. B9 is encouraged via individual supervision of each student's dissertation

Assessment Methods

Skills B1 - B8 will be acquired through course essays and the dissertation. Skill B9 will be assessed by the dissertation.

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

Learning Methods

Skills C1 and C2 are developed through preparation for seminars and the large group interactive classes, as well as through research for the course essays and dissertation. Skills C3 and C4 are developed through seminars by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion. Skill C4 is particularly developed through course essays and the dissertation. Skills C1 - C4 are formatively assessed in tutorials, large group interactive classes, and the Dissertation, which assessment reinforces their learning by students. Skill C4 is particularly developed through the dissertation. In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet and legal databases when researching their assessed work in order to find primary and secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format.

Assessment Methods

Skills C1 - C4 are assessed through course essays and the dissertation.

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Learning Methods

Skills D1 - D6 are acquired through seminars and case studies where students debate legal issues and problems, course essays and the dissertation. Students do work together in all courses, but it is not assessed, so it cannot be recorded as a skill acquired though this LLM. By focussing on research essays as the primary means of assessment, our graduates are trained to conduct independent research, and organise and collate this research into coherent papers, a skill which is then developed during the planning, researching and writing of the dissertation. In this way, they develop the legal analytical skills acquired in exam based LLB undergraduate courses. Increasingly information relating to the degree is disseminated via e-mail, thus encouraging students to use skills D2; legal databases are also more up-to-date than their paper equivalents, which again encourages students to use the technology.

Assessment Methods

Skills D1 - D4 and D6 are assessed through course essays and the dissertation.


SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE

Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary, and view module details in the module directory.

Additional notes on module choices:

Students may select a maximum of one full module or two half modules (30 credits) from options offered by other LLM programmes except LLM International Human Rights Law and LLM International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

expand paragraph   Year 1

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in AwardStatus in PG DiplomaStatus in PG Certificate
01ITME OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
02LW652-7-AUInternet RegulationCompulsoryCompulsoryCompulsory
03ITME OR LAW OPTION (1 X 30 CREDITS) OR (2 X 15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
04LW633-7-FYLW633-7-FY : FOUNDATION ESSAYCompulsory

expand paragraph   Year 2

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in AwardStatus in PG DiplomaStatus in PG Certificate
01LW650-7-FYDissertation: Internet LawCoreOptional
02ITME OPTION(S) FROM LISTOptionalOptional
03ITME OR LAW OPTION(S) FROM LISTOptionalOptional


SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT

Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/pgtrulesmenu.htm

Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/

See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.

External Examiner Information

  • Name: Dr Rachel Craufurd-Smith
  • Institution: The University of Edinburgh
  • Academic Role: Senior Lecturer

NOTE

The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)