Cyberlaw assignments

CYBERLAW ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1

THURSDAY, MAY 24 (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:
  • The “law of the horse” (pp. 9-10) [example: what is a “law of the horse”; what, if anything, can one learn through it?]
  • Themes of the book (p. 12) [example: how do they differ? How are they intertwined?]
    
  • The technology of computers and internet (pp. 17-35) [example: how does TCP/IP technology affect human behavior and why?]. Also feel free to bring any questions you may have on these pages to help you clarify the reading.
  • The technology of P2P networks (pp. 36-39) [example: how does P2P technology affect music markets and why?]
  • 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.]
  • Zittrain’s generativity (pp. 44-49) [example: whereas Lessig speaks of “regulation,” Zittrain speaks of “empowerment.” Is the distinction significant?]

WEEK 2

TUESDAY, MAY 29 (class 2): What is “Cyberspace”? Is “cyberspace” a dirty word?

• Leading and Discussion
  • Class co-leaders: Daniel and Yessenia (leaders, please prepare at least three thought-provoking questions per “professor” reading and at least two TPQs for each case)
  • Discussants: That’s everyone else (please prepare at least one TPQ per reading)
  • Everyone:
    • Please read Guidance for Discussants, Discussion Leaders, and Panels
    • Please feel free to contact me in advance of class to get feedback on your TPQs. I have office hours 3-5PM on Tues. & Thurs. and am also often around my office prior to class.
• Here is link to syllabus if you have not yet read it
• We’ll pick up with Lessig & Zittrain and then move on to new readings.
• Casebook, pp. 51-63, 68-83

THURSDAY, MAY 31: Treat as a Monday

• No Cyberlaw class today
• Go to your Monday classes, if any

WEEK 3

Note – the next several weeks’ readings are noted below. I will shortly be adding materials and dates relevant to the projects as well, as well as future readings. A more detailed leader schedule is provided at the top of this page. 

TUESDAY, JUNE 5 (class 3): Enforcement and Jurisdiction in “Cyberspace”

• Leading and discussion:
  • Class co-leaders:
    • Oscar, Zach, and Jonathan
    • For new readings, each leader should prepare at least 3 TPQs for non-case readings, and 2 TPQs for case readings.
    • The leaders’ primary role is to post TPQs, to ask discussants to share their TPQs, and to make sure the majority of discussion is by the class as a whole. It is not the leaders’ job to provide the bulk of discussion.
  • Discussants: as usual, prepare at least 1 TPQ per reading. You will be asked to share your questions (as well as your thoughts regarding your own questions).
• Readings:
  • I do want to finish the remaining readings from last class. I will lead those readings and then the new leaders will take charge for new readings. We left off with Dow Jones.
  • Casebook, pp. 83-95, 97-116

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 (class 4): Speech

• Note: See the leader and discussant instructions above, which remain standing assignments throughout the semester.
• Note: I will be adding additional instructions regarding our projects, which will commence shortly.
• Class co-leaders: Paul, Joe, and Samantha.
• Casebook, pp. 119, 123-43, 144-68
• Read these two articles about the Trump Twitter-blocking suit: this (article 1) and this (article 2)

WEEK 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 12 (class 5): Pornography, filtering, section 230

• Class co-leaders: Leah, Gladys, and Julian
• Casebook, pp. 168-212 (skip problem on page 211)
• Also read the U.S. case of Google v. Equeestek, available here. Is the court right that CDA immunity applies? What about 47 U.S.C. 230(e)(2) (CDA has no effect on IP laws)?
• Read discussion of FOSTA-SESTA, which limits CDA, available here.
• Read text of FOSTA, available here.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14 (class 6): Access to computers

• Class co-leaders: Jessie, Oscar, and Paul
• Casebook, pp. 323-35, 338-61 (we’ll come back to the privacy and security readings later in the semester)
• During this week we will discuss Project 2 (client online enforcement), which will tie into the three readings following this class.
• Added and emailed 6/13: As mentioned in yesterday’s class:
  1. Tech. Please bring your tech to Thursday’s class (and really all future classes), so that we can do project-related work. Tech should be used just for the project-related segments of our time together tomorrow.
  2. TPQs by discussants. A heads-up to all. I see that leaders are . . . reticent(!) to ask class members what their TPQs are. Please let me emphasize that it’s very important for each discussant to prepare at least one TPQ per reading. Therefore, I do expect leaders to ask people what their TPQs are (and I will ask as well), and I want (by “want” I mean expect) to hear at least one from each class member tomorrow. Letting you know!!!
• Project-related: in class creation of Twitter and LinkedIn accounts; handouts on account creation and topic guidance

WEEK 5

TUESDAY, JUNE 19 (class 7): Trademarks and domain names

• Excellent job last week on the TPQs. Everybody keep them coming! 🙂
• Today we’re going to focus on the readings, with much project stuff on Thursday.
• We’ll start with the remaining “access” materials from last week. We’ll keep last Thursday’s leaders for the old stuff.
• For new stuff, we’ll use the new co-leaders: Daniel, Zach, and Joe
• New readings: Casebook, pp. 363-404
• Project-related: discussion and guidance on selecting Twitter @handles/names; LinkedIn bios; handouts

THURSDAY, JUNE 21 (class 8): Copyright

• Class co-leaders: Jonathan, Samantha, and Julian
• Readings: Casebook, pp. 405-19, 422-28, 443-49, 453-56
• More info on projects TBA (email will be sent out as well)
• Project-related:
  • Due: Twitter @handles/names
  • Due: LinkedIn bios
  • In-class: follow one another. Go to this link while in class, I’ll give you the password then.
  • In-class: guidance on adding graphics, tweets, videos, images to WordPress
  • In-class: guidance on selecting a blog topic

WEEK 6

TUESDAY, JUNE 26 (class 9): Copyright (cont’d)

• Class leaders: Leah and Gladys
• Casebook, pp. 457-66, 473-84, 497-508
• Project-related:
  • Dress professionally. I will bring in a camera and take professional portraits of everyone for your own use.
  • Proposed blog topics due

THURSDAY, JUNE 28 (class 10): Privacy and security

• Class leader: Professor
• Casebook, pp. 215-42, 261-72
• Project-related–In class training on loading and embedding media in WordPress; selecting images; backing-up WordPress. During class, go to:
  • In-class task: Embedding media; how to find media  (password provided during class)
  • In-class training: Backing up WordPress

WEEK 7

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY (JULY 3 and JULY 5)

• I would be happy to meet individually with any student to discuss anything project-related.
• Email me to set up a time for either Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. (Not Wednesday, the school is closed for the July 4th holiday.)

TUESDAY, JULY 3 (class 11): Privacy and security

• Class leader: Professor
• Reading:
  • Note: this is the same reading as last Thursday.
  • If you already did last Thursday’s reading, then just give this a quick look-over before class so that you’re fresh:
  • The assigned pages (same as last week): Casebook, pp. 215-42, 261-72
  • TPQs: per my recent email, I will be asking people to share their TPQs. At least one per reading please! Thank you! 🙂
• Project-related (we’ll do this together in class):
  • How to use the social media template/certification form
  • How to use the blogging certification template
  • Documenting Twitter analytics
  • Taking screenshots and clips on a Windows PC or a Mac
  • Links to be used in today’s class:
    • Blogging project, consolidated guidance
    • Social media project, consolidated guidance
    • For your blogging and social media templates, log on to digitalgarbage.net. You will find custom templates in your draft posts. Do not edit these documents yet. If you need to get original templates, you can find links on the project pages.

THURSDAY, JULY 5 (class 12): Privacy and security; Cyberlaw Symposium # 1

• In class, we will have a symposium, cover readings, and discuss any needed project-related issues. Have your laptops handy.
• Project-related: In Tuesday’s class, we discussed the consolidated guidance project pages I posted, which consolidate all the project-information I’ve given you previously. This should give you one-page resources to guide you as you complete the projects. You should read both pages before today’s class so that you can ask any questions you might have. You can find links to both pages at https://www.nathenson.org/courses/cyberlaw/projects/.
• Cyberlaw symposium # 1
  • Presenters: Dan, Jessie, Oscar, Zach.
  • Each presenter will speak 10-12 minutes on their blog topic. They will tell us about their topic, and seek our input to the extent we can help one another. In other words, each presenter should explain what your topic is, what is important about it, what is interesting about it, and what you think. Share any concerns or things you are still trying to figure out in order to spur class discussion.
  • Presenters may, but need not, use audiovisuals (please email me any AV ahead of time). If you use PowerPoints, keep the slides to a minimum number, always use big type, and avoid using too many bullet points.
  • After each presentation, we’ll discuss the presenter’s issue as a group.
  • We will live-tweet. Live-blogging Twitter hashtag: #ILPSP
• Readings:
  • The remaining readings for the semester have been culled back a bit, as we will be spending significant class time working together on the projects.
  • Casebook, pp. 273-74, 296-302, 303-14
  • Reading on GDPR:
    • Read this
    • And this

FRIDAY, JULY 6: First draft of blog posting due

• Your first draft of your blog post is due at the end of the today, today, Friday, July 6, at 12 midnight EST
• To submit it:
  • Simply save your work to the digital garbage site and click submit for review.
  • Then email me when your draft is complete and ready for my review. If you don’t email me I won’t be sure you’re done.
• I will give you comments on your draft when we meet next week.

WEEK 8

MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY (JULY 9 TO JULY 12)

• Schedule a student-professor meeting to discuss project-related issues.
• I will be available Monday through Thursday.
• At the meeting, I will give you feedback on your blog draft.
• Come prepared to ask any questions that I can help with and to show me your progress to date.
• A sign-up sheet will be posted.

TUESDAY, JULY 10 (class 13): Internet of Things; Blockchain; Cyberlaw Symposium # 2

• In class, we will have a symposium, cover readings, and discuss any needed project-related issues. Have your laptops handy.
• Cyberlaw symposium # 2
  • Presenters: Jonathan, Paul, Joe, Sam.
  • Each presenter will speak 10-12 minutes on their blog topic. They will tell us about their topic, and seek our input to the extent we can help one another. In other words, each presenter should explain what your topic is, what is important about it, what is interesting about it, and what you think. Share any concerns or things you are still trying to figure out in order to spur class discussion.
  • Presenters may, but need not, use audiovisuals (please email me any AV ahead of time). If you use PowerPoints, keep the slides to a minimum number, always use big type, and avoid using too many bullet points.
  • After each presentation, we’ll discuss the presenter’s issue as a group.
  • We will live-tweet. Live-blogging Twitter hashtag: #ILPSP
• Readings:
  • Casebook, pp. 603, 626-34, 671-82 (especially TPQ on page 682)
  • Be sure to consider the TPQs Grimmelmann poses on pages 603 and 682. Heck, we could spend a whole class discussing just these questions (but we won’t).
  • Readings on the operation and problems of Blockchain (Bitcoin is just one example of a blockchain-based protocol). I recommend you read them in the order listed below:
    1. What is blockchain technology
    2. How does blockchain work
    3. Could Blockchain Disrupt How We Protect Our Intellectual Property?
       
    4. Bitcoin and the 51% attack
    5. Bitcoin and energy consumption
• We will also devote time to questions regarding your projects. Bring your laptops.

THURSDAY, JULY 12 (class 14): Wrap-up; Last class; Cyberlaw Symposium # 3

• In our final class, we will have our final symposium and discuss any last-minute project-related issues. Have your laptops handy.
• Cyberlaw symposium # 3:
  • Presenters: Leah, Gladys, Julian.
  • Each presenter will speak 10-12 minutes on their blog topic. They will tell us about their topic, and seek our input to the extent we can help one another. In other words, each presenter should explain what your topic is, what is important about it, what is interesting about it, and what you think. Share any concerns or things you are still trying to figure out in order to spur class discussion.
  • Presenters may, but need not, use audiovisuals (please email me any AV ahead of time). If you use PowerPoints, keep the slides to a minimum number, always use big type, and avoid using too many bullet points.
  • After each presentation, we’ll discuss the presenter’s issue as a group.
  • We will live-tweet. Live-blogging Twitter hashtag: #ILPSP
• The rest of class will be devoted to guidance and Q&A for the projects. Bring your laptops.
• Last day of class! Happy summer!

FINAL PROJECT DEADLINES

FRIDAY, JULY 20: FINAL SUBMISSION, SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECT

• Social media self-report due end-of day, 12 midnight EST on Friday, July 20 along with certification form
• This document is to be submitted electronically using the social media branding template form.
• It must include the required certification form.
• Please email me when your report is complete and ready for my review. If you don’t email me I won’t be sure you’re done.

FRIDAY, JULY 27: FINAL SUBMISSION, REVISED BLOG POSTING

• Revised second blog draft due due end-of day, 12 midnight EST Friday, July 27 along with certification form.
• This document is to be submitted electronically.
• It must include the required certification form.
• Please email me when your final draft is complete and ready for my review. If you don’t email me I won’t be sure you’re done.