| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This major will enable students to acquire understanding of media and technology law. They will also gain specialised knowledge and skills for research and professional practice in technology and e-commerce law, media law and culture, law and globalisation, and intellectual property law. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. explain key principles and concepts in the area of media and technology law (K)
2. identify and evaluate relevant issues, and apply reasoning and research skills to generate appropriate responses to contemporary socio-legal problems (T, P, I)
3. communicate knowledge in oral and written form in ways that are appropriate for legal and non-legal audiences (C)
4. recognise and reflect upon issues of disadvantage and social justice, the impact of globalisation on the Australian legal system (E, J)
5. collaborate and reflect upon the application of knowledge to advocate solutions for a sustainable global society within the media and technology sector (A, J)
6. reflect on feedback and identify opportunities to extend and apply knowledge and skills in broader professional and academic contexts (L). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The program employs three main learning and teaching methods: lectures, tutorials and interactive independent online learning.
• Lectures: the Media, Technology and the Law major encompasses a wide ambit of legal content. Accordingly, the weekly lectures are critical for providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal and policy framework applicable to each area of study. Each of the units in the program provide 24 hours of lectures that will equip you with a sound understanding of the fundamental legal principles in the field. The lectures will articulate the relevant legislation and case law, as well as the leading scholarly literature and the ongoing law reform discourse in the field. The objective of the lectures therefore is to:
a. Provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles relating to media and technology law, including the relevant legislation, case law, reform reports and scholarly literature in the field.
b. Equip you with knowledge of content so as to enable you to analyse complex hypothetical problems, identify relevant legal and factual issues, and apply legal principles to solve problems and provide appropriate legal advice.
• Tutorials: building upon the knowledge obtained in lectures, the tutorials provide you with an opportunity to apply this understanding to real life situations and engage with your peers in refining your understanding and considering differing points of view. The aim of the tutorials is therefore to:
a. Train you to adopt an enquiring, critical and analytical approach to media law and technology law, as well as your potential role within the media and technology sector.
b. Enable you to apply the wide ambit of legal knowledge presented by the lectures to specific issues in the media and technology sectors.
c. Provide you with skills to formulate, evaluate and present sophisticated oral arguments relating to media and technology law, drawing upon relevant statutes, judicial precedent and policy considerations
• Online interactive learning: the website in the units provide videos, interactive online experiences and links to related sites. The objective is to enable you to: (a) develop graduate capabilities relating to new and emerging technologies to enable you to address the contemporary issues being faced by law service providers (e.g. firms of solicitors) and their clients; and (b) apply legal knowledge in relation to the regulation of media and technology to the wider social and cultural context to better understand commercial practices and decisions. |
| Assessment |
The Media, Technology and the Law major involves a range of assessment methods, including online quizzes, assignments, contributions to tutorial discussion, and take-home exams. Whilst the specific assessment regimes vary slightly between the units in the program, the following assessment methods are the most commonly used in the Media, Technology and the Law major:
• Assignment: the assignment involves researching relevant materials, and analysing these materials so as to formulate a coherent and authoritative response to the question under examination. The objective of the assignment is to test your ability to analyse and develop a thesis on a specific legal issue or topic in the field of media and technology law. The word limit is typically 1,500 words, and commonly represents a moderate proportion, example 20%, of the final mark.
• Contribution to tutorial discussion: tutorial participation assesses your ability to analyse complex hypothetical fact problems, identify relevant legal and factual issues, and apply legal principles to provide legal advice. You are expected to read the prescribed materials, listen to lectures and actively contribute to the discussions. Tutorial participation typically comprises 10-20% of the final mark.
• Take-home exam: a feature of the Media, Technology and the Law major is that it involves a multifaceted and wide ranging ambit of inquiry that encompasses legislation, case law and law reform discourse in a variety of fields. As such, the objective of the final take-home exam is to test your understanding of the legal principles covered in the program and your ability to apply this legal understanding to solve real legal problems and issues. The exam typically comprises a substantial proportion, example 60%, of the final mark.
• Opportunity to sub-specialise: in certain units, such as Information Technology Law and Intellectual Property Law, you will have the opportunity to sub-specialise by selecting the topic of your assignment. Many students for example research social media and internet copyright issues in their assignment to develop specialised understanding in these areas.
• Scaffolding on earlier studies: the Media, Technology and the Law major scaffolds on your earlier understanding of areas such as contracts, equity and corporations. The assessments therefore assume familiarity with earlier compulsory units, and utilise such knowledge as a foundation on which to test more sophisticated applications of such principles in the field of media and technology law. For example, knowledge of contract law is assumed in the assessment of e-contracts. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates will be able to apply their expertise acquired from this major in a range of professional settings across the corporate and commercial sector, as well as in professional practice relating to private industry, government regulators and business relevant to media and technology sectors. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
