LAWHONS 744A/B : Special Topic: Privacy Law

Law

2021 Semester One (1213) / Semester Two (1215) (20 POINTS)

Course Prescription

No prescription

Course Overview

Although privacy law in NZ has been developing since the 1980s, the developments (both common law and statute) are incomplete and inadequate. There are many outstanding issues. The makes privacy law a fertile area for research and writing.

In the first semester classes will be led by the course director / lecturer. Materials will be set for reading, prior to each week's class at which they will be discussed.

Topics are likely to include: the concept of privacy; definitions of privacy; the status of privacy; privacy and related interests / competing interests; sources of privacy law; common law privacy protection - in NZ, Australia, Canada, the UK and US; the Privacy Act 1993 and Privacy Act 2020; Codes of Practice; other statutes that address privacy concerns; surveillance; privacy law applied in various contexts (eg. privacy in the workplace; privacy, publicity and the media; health privacy; privacy in education); remedies for breaches of privacy.

In the second semester each student will make a 30-minute presentation to the class on the individual research project on which they are writing their research paper, with discussion / feedback. Each week two or three students will give their presentations.

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in LAWHONS 744 A and B, or LAWHONS 744

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop expertise in current issues associated with the concept of privacy and privacy law in NZ (Capability 1.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Critically evaluate a specific topic in privacy law, through research and writing an Honours seminar paper. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3)
  3. Communicate a research topic to the class in a clear, coherent and effective manner (Capability 4.1)
  4. Identify current issues in privacy law, and potential solutions (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3)
  5. Develop independent thinking in undertaking individual, self-directed research and writing (Capability 5.2)
  6. Communicate and engage with class members and the course director, to give feedback (including on other students' presentations), exchange ideas and present persuasive arguments (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussions 10% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Essay 80% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Discussions
Presentation
Essay

Workload Expectations

This is a standard 20-point course. There will be around 48 class hours in this course (one 2-hour block each week). As a general guide, you should expect a workload of about three hours outside of the classroom for each hour spent in class. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 200 hours.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance at all seminars is required to receive credit for components of the course.
Seminars will not be recorded. 
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable (Tuesdays, 12-2pm).

Learning Resources

Either the second edition (published in 2016) or third edition (publication is imminent) of Privacy Law in New Zealand  is highly recommended.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course director, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a Student Academic and Support Adviser as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/01/2021 01:20 p.m.