Cyberlaw assignments [ARCHIVE SUMMER 2017 — NOT CURRENT]

CYBERLAW ASSIGNMENTS [NOTE: THIS IS AN ARCHIVE, NOT CURRENT SEMESTER]

Assignments.

Initial assignments are posted below. This page will be updated regularly, so come back often. The syllabus can be found here.

Books and course materials.
The casebook and course materials are all available on the internet.

  1. Course Website: Site at https://nathenson.org/courses/cyberlaw/. This website is your source for assignments, project information, and other materials. Details on the course website are provided below.
  2. Casebook: James Grimmelmann, Internet Law: Cases and Problems (6th ed. Semaphore Press), available at https://semaphorepress.com/InternetLaw_overview.html. The book can be downloaded as an unprotected PDF, which allows you to mark up and annotate the book. Keep in mind, however, that laptops are not normally permitted in class, so be sure to print out your assignments and bring them with you. Regarding the value and cost, Professor Grimmelmann and his publisher allow you to name your price, with a suggested price of $30. That’s a great price compared to $250 casebooks. If you’re strapped for cash, they allow you to “freeride” and download the book for free. However, this is a fantastic casebook and a steal for only $30, so unless you are truly strapped, I recommend you pay for the book. And no, I will not ask you if you paid. Honor system!

Projects.

You will do three experiential projects, which together will constitute the bulk (two-thirds) of your score.

Project 1: Attorney self-branding. Brand yourself online in preparation for practice. Develop your professional online profile using tools such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instragram and more. This project will continue through the semester. Click here.

Project “X”: Online legal commentary. Comment on hot online topics. You will draft two blog postings for a class blog on internet law issues. Click here.

Each project is 25% of your final course score. The other 25% is from class participation, which includes attendance, punctuality, leadership, and discussion.

Discussion leaders.

Although all class members must be well-prepared, several students will serve as assigned discussion leaders in each class session. For details on participation and discussion leaders, see the syllabus. For a listing of discussion leaders, see here (TBA). For further guidance on class leading and class discussion, see here.

Resources.

A listing of Cyberlaw resources can be found here.

WEEK 1

THURSDAY, MAY 25 (class 1): Introduction

For the first class, you have only two things to do: read the syllabus and assigned pages in the casebook, and 2) prepare thought-provoking discussion questions. The casebook can be downloaded for any price between $0.00 and $30.00 (see above). Be sure to print out the assigned pages and bring them with your notebook.

Readings:

  • Read syllabus
  • Casebook pp. 9-13, 17-49

Create thought-provoking discussion questions:

  • Come up with at least one discussion question for each of the parts of the readings shown below. Be prepared to discuss—not necessarily answer, but to discuss—your own questions.
  • Parts of readings with sample questions are shown below:
    1. The “law of the horse” (pp. 9-10) [example: what is a “law of the horse”; what, if anything, can one learn through it?]
    2. Themes of the book (p. 12) [example: how do they differ? How are they intertwined?]
    3. The technology of computers and internet (pp. 17-35) [example: how does TCP/IP technology affect human behavior and why?]
    4. The technology of P2P networks (pp. 36-39) [example: how does P2P technology affect music markets and why?]
    5. Lessig’s modalities of regulation (pp. 40-43) [example: how does a change in “code” affect “markets” and “social norms”? Give examples beyond those in the reading.]
    6. Zittrain’s generativity (pp. 44-49) [example: whereas Lessig speaks of “regulation,” Zittrain speaks of “empowerment.” Is the distinction significant?]

WEEK 2

TUESDAY, MAY 30 (class 2): What is “Cyberspace”? Is “cyberspace” a dirty word?

  • Class co-leaders: Jackie and Tiffany
  • See Guidance for Discussants and Discussion Leaders. Remember, everyone needs to come to the table with thought-provoking questions for discussion, not just the leaders.
  • Casebook, pp. 51-63, 68-83
  • We’ll also discuss Project 1 (your online branding) and Project X (blog postings)

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 (class 3): Enforcement and Jurisdiction in “Cyberspace”

  • Class co-leaders: Judy and John Paul
  • Casebook, pp. 84-97, 99-118

WEEK 3

TUESDAY, JUNE 6 (class 4, due date): Speech; Project 1

  • Class co-leaders: Allison & Richard
  • Casebook, pp. 121-38, 140-63
  • Project 1 (due today). By midnight EST tonight (end-of-evening), email inathenson@stu.edu: 1) which form(s) of social media you propose to use; 2) your proposed focus; and 3) any proposed names/handles.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 (class 5): Pornography, filtering, section 230

  • Class co-leaders: Carol & Nathacha
  • Casebook, pp. 163-210

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 (due date): Project X

  • Project X (due today): By midnight EST tonight (end-of-evening), email inathenson@stu.edu with 2-3 proposed topics for blog postings. Give the topic and a little bit about what you’d like to discuss in the postings. Provide your proposed topics and a little bit about what you’d like to discuss in the postings. You should include links to any supportive information.

WEEK 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 13 (class 6): Access to computers

  • Class co-leaders: Eneami & Manuel
  • Casebook, pp. 337-76
  • During this week we will discuss Project 2 (client online enforcement), which will tie into the three readings following this class.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 (class 7): Trademarks and domain names

  • Class co-leaders: Brianna & Saul
  • Casebook, pp. 377-428

WEEK 5

TUESDAY, JUNE 20 (class 8): Copyright

  • Class co-leaders: Elizabeth & Jacob
  • Casebook, pp. 429-461, 467-80

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 (class 9): Copyright

  • Class leader: Professor Nathenson
  • Casebook, pp. 480-520

WEEK 6

TUESDAY, JUNE 27 (class 10): Privacy and security

  • Class co-leaders: Manny, Nathacha, Eneami, and Jackie [moderator: Jackie]. See details on being part of a panel on updated Guidance for discussants, discussion leaders, and panels.
  • Casebook, pp. 211-41, 261-79
  • We’ll also discuss Project 1 (your online branding) and Project X (blog postings). Bring your laptops, to be used during this portion of the class.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 (class 11): Privacy and security

  • Class co-leaders: Judy, Jacob, Jean Paul, and Brianna [moderator: Judy]. See details on being part of a panel on updated Guidance for discussants, discussion leaders, and panels.
  • Casebook, pp. 279-80, 281-335
  • We’ll also discuss Project 1 (your online branding) and Project X (blog postings). Bring your laptops, to be used during this portion of the class.
  • Deadline: As noted in email and in class of 6/27: email me clarification of your blog topic by noon.

WEEK 7

TUESDAY, JULY 4 (holiday)

  • Fourth of July holiday
  • No class!

THURSDAY, JULY 6 (class 12): Virtual property, the Internet of Things

  • Class co-leaders: Carol, Tiffany, Saul, Richard, and Allison [moderator: Tiffany]. See details on being part of a panel on updated Guidance for discussants, discussion leaders, and panels.
  • Casebook, pp. 627-61, 682-93
  • We’ll also discuss Project 1 (your online branding) and Project X (blog postings). Bring your laptops, to be used during this portion of the class.

FRIDAY, JULY 7 at midnight EST (at end of day) — Deadline: As noted in email and in class of 6/27: you must have posted the first draft of your blog posting for Project-X.

WEEK 8

TUESDAY, JULY 11 (class 13): Online enforcement

  • Class leader: Professor Nathenson
  • Your assignment: do this.
  • We will also devote time to questions regarding your projects. Bring your laptops.
  • Email me to set up an appointment in my office for feedback and to ask any questions you might have. Click here to see the schedule and email me with 2-3 requested time slots. I’ll update the document as people set up time slots.

THURSDAY, JULY 13 (class 14): Wrap-up

  • Last day of class! Happy summer!
  • This class will be devoted to remaining work for the projects. Bring your laptops.

FINAL PROJECTS DUE

As noted in email/class 6/29, your final projects are due any time between July 17 and July 24. 

Last revised July 9, 2017 (meeting time slots)