Cyberlaw seminar assignments

THIS IS AN ARCHIVE OF THE FALL 2014 CYBERLAW SKILLS COURSE

Tentative assignments are listed below. As our work through the semester progresses, and as new Cyberlaw issues arise, assignments will be adjusted and moved around. So check back for updates.

COLOR KEY:

  • Class sessions: blue
  • Submission dates: red
  • Meeting dates: green

CLASS 1: THURSDAY, AUG. 21

  • Goals of class: to meet as a group, to discuss goals and culture of student-led Harkness discussion, to introduce basic descriptive and theoretical questions of cyberlaw, and to begin discussion of writing a scholarly seminar paper.
  • Fajans: pp. 1-22
  • Grimmelmann:
    • pp. 9-13: Introduction to Cyberlaw
    • pp. 17-40: Basics of computers, internet, cryptography
    • pp. 43-51: Regulation (Lessig) & generativity (Zittrain)

CLASS 2: THURSDAY, AUG. 28

  • Goals of class: to develop our skills engaging in student-led Harkness discussion, to further develop our thinking about the problems of territorial regulation, and to discuss topic development.
  • As noted last week, in the upcoming Aug. 28 class, we’ll discuss the readings from the first two weeks. Please be sure to bring the Fajans book and the Grimmelmann printouts with you.
  • Fajans: pp. 22-26
  • Grimmelmann:
    • pp. 61-71 (Barlow, Kerr, Johnson & Post, Franks)
    • pp. 71-73 (Voyeur Dorm cases)
    • pp. 78-85 (Dow Jones)
    • pp. 99-103 (Goldsmith & Wu)
  • Comments:
    • What to bring. Make sure to bring both the Fajans book and printouts of the assigned materials from Grimmelmann, as well as any other materials you think you might need.
    • Topic selection. The readings in Fajans are aimed at getting you to think about selecting a topic, the crucial first step in doing a successful paper. You should start thinking now about what you might want to write about. In class, we will talk further about the structure of a seminar paper as well as selecting a topic. This will be our first order of business.
    • Harkness preparation. Be prepared for a Harkness Method discussion. Per the handout and per class discussion in our first week, this seminar will include participation from all class members, and each class member is expected to take her or his part in advancing the discussion in a dynamic way. As a start, each person should come to class with at least two (2) food-for-though questions prepared for class discussion based on any of the readings assigned for each class. Additionally, be prepared to support classroom discussion with examples from the readings, with citations to the appropriate pages.

CLASS 3: THURSDAY, SEPT. 4

  • Goals of class: Discuss your proposed topics, obtain feedback from colleagues, refine and narrow proposed topic with an eye towards submitting it for approval on Sept. 5. Will also discuss substantive materials.
  • Fajans: No new reading, but bring this book to every class.
  • Grimmelmann: pp. 182-202 (CDA immunity)
  • Discussion: In-class discussion of topics for formative feedback. Come to class prepared to explain what you are planning to do as a topic. We will give each other feedback and advice to help refine and narrow your topic. Click here for guidance on topic selection. On that page, you’ll also find links to materials that may be helpful in finding a topic.

IMPORTANT DATE: TOPICS DUE FRIDAY, SEPT. 5

  • No later than 12 midnight EST at the end of Sept. 5, email your proposed topic to me.
  • Send your proposed topic in a Microsoft Word file emailed to inathenson@stu.edu.
  • One paragraph describing the topic is sufficient.
  • Use the following document naming and formatting conventions (please see here for reasons underlying naming/formatting conventions):
    • File name should be last name, underscore, topic dot doc (or docx). Ex: Nathenson_topic.docx.
    • Your name and the date should also appear on the first page of the file

CLASS 4: THURSDAY, SEPT. 11

  • Goals of class: to discuss developing a thesis, to discuss roadmapping. Will also discuss substantive materials.
  • Fajans: pp. 26-51 (developing a thesis).
  • Grimmelmann:
    • 373-74 (basics of trademark law)
    • 389-92  (Brookfield) (skip problem)
    • 393-407 (Panavision, Title 15, PETA, Taubman) (skip problem)
    • 408-16 (domain names, ICANN, UDRP, Curt) (skip problem p. 412)
  • Comments: By now, you should be deeply into researching your topic, developing a thesis, and building a bibliography. You may want to go ahead and read Fajans ch. 3, which will be part of the assignment for Class 5 (Chapter 3 is on research, and it’s a short chapter).

CLASS 5: THURSDAY, SEPT. 18

  • Goals of class: discussing researching & outlining. Will also discuss substantive materials.
  • Fajans: pp. 52-79 (chapters 3 & 4 research & outlining)
  • Grimmelmann (updated 9/9):
    • 447-49 (overview of copyright)
    • 450 (exclusive rights in section 106)
    • 461-64 (Perfect 10)
    • 486-87 (fair use, note on Sony & fair use)
    • 492-496 (Perfect 10)
    • 497-98 (Note on Sony)
    • 502-08 (Grokster, skip problems on p. 508)
    • 510 (Section 512, also recommend reading pp. 510-14)
    • 515-18 (Lenz)
  • Additional guidance (added 9/9/14):
    • Preliminary statement of thesis, outline, and sources
    • Difference between topic and thesis
    • Additional comments: You should be developing your thesis, researching, and starting to develop the outline (i.e., organization) of the paper. Keep in mind that these things will evolve as you work on the paper, so don’t worry that things must be completely set in stone just yet. As will be noted in our discussions, keeping a reading journal and freewriting are extremely helpful techniques.

CLASS 6: THURSDAY, SEPT. 25

  • Goals of class: answer questions regarding your thesis, outlining, and source listing, with an eye towards the submission due the following day. Will also discuss substantive materials.
  • Fajans: no readings, but bring book.
  • Grimmelmann:  pp. 341-355, 357-70 (hacking, digital trespass)

IMPORTANT DATE: THESIS/OUTLINE/SOURCES DUE FRIDAY, SEPT. 26

  • No later than 12 midnight EST at the end of Sept. 26, email your thesis, outline, and source list to me. Combine them into one document.
    • Send your materials in a Microsoft Word file emailed to inathenson@stu.edu.
  • For guidance, see page in Handbook on Preparing your combined statement of Thesis, Outline, and Sources.
  • Use the following document naming and formatting conventions:
    • File name should be last name, underscore, thesis dot doc (or docx). Ex: Nathenson_thesis.docx.
    • Your name and the date should also appear on the first page of the file

CLASS 7: THURSDAY, OCT. 2

  • Goals of class: to discuss writing techniques, as well as substantive materials.
  • Fajans: pp. 80-103 (chapter  5 on the process of writing)
  • Grimmelmann: 250-78 (NSA surveillance)

CLASS 8: THURSDAY, OCT. 9

  • Goals of class: to discuss proper attribution techniques, as well as substantive materials.
  • Fajans: pp. 104-124 (chapter 6 on avoiding plagiarism)
  • Attribution (i.e., avoiding plagiarism) (read and print out; added per email of 10/7)
  • Grimmelmann: pp. 279-307 (anonymity & privacy)
  • Comments: I will post a sign-up sheet for individual meetings to take place during the week of Oct. 13.

PRE-DRAFT MEETINGS: WEEK OF OCT. 13

  • Meet with me to discuss your progress and to address any questions you have regarding your creation of a first draft. Assume that meetings will last at least 30 minutes.
  • Bring to our meeting: 
    • Any questions you may have.
    • A hard copy of your current working draft.
    • Other relevant materials (research, cases, law reviews). If you would prefer to show me electronic copies to conserve paper, that is fine. However, make sure that your electronic files are well-organized so that we may review them together.

CLASS 9: THURSDAY, OCT. 16

CLASS 10: THURSDAY, OCT. 23

  • No class because first drafts are due on Friday. Work on making a complete first draft for my review.
  • I will be in my office during class time to meet with any students with questions.

IMPORTANT DATE: FIRST DRAFT DUE FRIDAY, OCT. 24

  • No later than 12 midnight EST at the end of Oct. 24, email your first draft to me.
  • It should be a complete first draft, with all sections, headings, footnotes, and analysis. Complete does not mean “polished,” “perfect,” or “final.” It simply means a draft paper that has all the requisite parts, including footnotes and Bluebooking. I’m 100% aware that you will be doing plenty of revisions prior to submitting your final draft; however, for me to be able to provide you with meaningful comments on your first draft, you must also provide a complete draft.
  • Send it in a Microsoft Word file emailed to inathenson@stu.edu.
  • Use the following document naming and formatting conventions:
    • File name should be last name, underscore, draft1 dot doc (or docx). Ex: Nathenson_draft1.docx (note: any drafts in between the first and final draft should use a similarly meaningful naming convention, for example, Nathenson_draft2.docx).
    • Your name , the date, and the paper’s title should also appear on the first page of the file

CLASS 11: THURSDAY, OCT. 30

  • Speakers: Sabrina, Alejandro F-L, and Carlos
  • Lead commentators: Paola (cmt. on Sabrina), Ashley (cmt. on Alejandro F-L), and Julio (cmt. on Carlos)
  • Guidance:
    • Papers: Student papers will be available through a private shared folder. The link will be emailed to you. Files may be viewed, printed, and downloaded but not edited. Please do not share this link with anyone outside the class. All class members must read and be ready to discuss assigned papers.
    • All members of the class: be familiar with General guidance for all class members during presentation weeks.
    • Presenters: be familiar with Guidance for those giving presentations. If you have PowerPoints or other audiovisuals, email them to me no later than 8PM the evening prior to your presentation. I will preload them on the iPad. I will also email you confirmation of receipt; therefore, if you do not hear back from me, contact me again. (Sometimes large attachments get stuck in spam filters.) Because we use an iPad and not a laptop, do not bring a USB drive to class. It will not work on an iPad. Instead, be sure to email me materials by the evening before as noted.
    • Lead commentators: be familiar with “Guidance for commentators on presentations,” and remember that you need to provide written (two copies) and oral feedback to your designated presenter, Guidance for commentators on presentations.

POST-DRAFT INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS: WEEK OF NOV. 3

  • I will provide a sign-up sheet.
  • For your meeting, please bring with you:
    • A hard copy of your first draft with my comments/annotations
    • A hard copy of my typed-up comments
    • Any other materials, such as sources, reading logs, etc.
    • Questions that you’d like us to discuss.

CLASS 12: THURSDAY, NOV. 6

  • Cancelled due to illness.

CLASS 13: THURSDAY, NOV. 13

  • Formerly listed for Class 12
  • Speakers: Paola, Ashley, and Julio
  • Lead commentators: Alex T. (cmt. on Paola), Scott (cmt. on Ashley), and Pitchie (cmt. on Julio)
  • Guidance:
    • Papers: Student papers will be available through a private shared folder. The link will be emailed to you. Files may be viewed, printed, and downloaded but not edited. Please do not share this link with anyone outside the class. All class members must read and be ready to discuss assigned papers.
    • All members of the class: be familiar with General guidance for all class members during presentation weeks.
    • Presenters: be familiar with Guidance for those giving presentations. If you have a revised draft, email it to me no later than 12 midnight EST (end of day) the Friday prior to your presentation. If you have PowerPoints or other audiovisuals, email them to me no later than 8PM the evening prior to your presentation. I will preload them on the iPad. For any such materials you send, I will email you confirmation of receipt; therefore, if you do not hear back from me, contact me again. (Sometimes large attachments get stuck in spam filters.) Because we use an iPad and not a laptop, do not bring a USB drive to class. It will not work on an iPad. Instead, be sure to email me presentation materials by the evening before as noted.
    • Lead commentators: be familiar with “Guidance for commentators on presentations,” and remember that you need to provide written (two copies) and oral feedback to your designated presenter, Guidance for commentators on presentations.

CLASS 14: THURSDAY, NOV. 20

  • Formerly listed for class 13
  • Speakers: Alex T., Scott, and Pitchie
  • Lead commentators: Sabrina (cmt. on Alex T.), Alejandro F-L (cmt. on Scott), and Carlos (cmt. on Pitchie)
  • Guidance:
    • Papers: Student papers will be available through a private shared folder. The link will be emailed to you. Files may be viewed, printed, and downloaded but not edited. Please do not share this link with anyone outside the class. All class members must read and be ready to discuss assigned papers.
    • All members of the class: be familiar with General guidance for all class members during presentation weeks.
    • Presenters: be familiar with Guidance for those giving presentations. If you have a revised draft, email it to me no later than 12 midnight EST (end of day) the Friday prior to your presentation. If you have PowerPoints or other audiovisuals, email them to me no later than 8PM the evening prior to your presentation. I will preload them on the iPad. For any such materials you send, I will email you confirmation of receipt; therefore, if you do not hear back from me, contact me again. (Sometimes large attachments get stuck in spam filters.) Because we use an iPad and not a laptop, do not bring a USB drive to class. It will not work on an iPad. Instead, be sure to email me presentation materials by the evening before as noted.
    • Lead commentators: be familiar with “Guidance for commentators on presentations,” and remember that you need to provide written (two copies) and oral feedback to your designated presenter, Guidance for commentators on presentations.

IMPORTANT DATE: FINAL DRAFT DUE FRIDAY, DEC. 5

  • No later than 12 midnight EST at the end of Friday, Dec. 5, email your first draft to me.
  • Send it in a Microsoft Word file emailed to inathenson@stu.edu.
  • Use the following document naming and formatting conventions:
    • File name should be last name, underscore, final dot doc (or docx). Ex: Nathenson_final.docx.
    • Your name, the date, and the paper’s title should also appear on the first page of the file

Last updated November 16, 2014