Communications Law

Subject 730-813 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

August, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Mr Jonathan Michael Gill
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should have:

  • A detailed understanding of important current legal and policy issues affecting the communications sector, including digital broadcasting, pay TV, convergence and mobile communications
  • A critical awareness of the Australian approach to broadcasting, spectrum and telecommunications regulation, including regulatory arrangements involving the Australian Communications and Media Authority
  • Well-developed techniques for evaluating Australian communications law from international and comparative perspectives on media regulation and free speech
  • A familiarity with legal issues concerning new and emerging services, including future developments in digital broadcasting and next-generation networks (NGNs).

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • What is communications law? (including different regulatory approaches)
  • Regulation of communications services, including radio and television services
  • Australian content rules
  • Control and ownership of broadcasting and communications enterprises
  • Digital broadcasting law and regulation
  • Pay TV Competition in telecommunications (including regulation of anti-competitive practices)
  • Interconnection of law and policy
  • Spectrum allocation (including licensing and spectrum auctions)
  • Consumer protection issues
  • Regulation of new services and technologies, including convergence of media and Digital Rights Management (DRM) issues.
Assessment:
  • Seminar participation (10%)

 

  • Take-home examination (90%) (18–21 September)

    or
  • Research paper 8,000 words (90%) (5 November) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-813Communications LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2009P

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should have:

  • A detailed understanding of important current legal and policy issues affecting the communications sector, including digital broadcasting, pay TV, convergence and mobile communications
  • A critical awareness of the Australian approach to broadcasting, spectrum and telecommunications regulation, including regulatory arrangements involving the Australian Communications and Media Authority
  • Well-developed techniques for evaluating Australian communications law from international and comparative perspectives on media regulation and free speech
  • A familiarity with legal issues concerning new and emerging services, including future developments in digital broadcasting and next-generation networks (NGNs).

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • What is communications law? (including different regulatory approaches)
  • Regulation of communications services, including radio and television services
  • Australian content rules
  • Control and ownership of broadcasting and communications enterprises
  • Digital broadcasting law and regulation
  • Pay TV Competition in telecommunications (including regulation of anti-competitive practices)
  • Interconnection of law and policy
  • Spectrum allocation (including licensing and spectrum auctions)
  • Consumer protection issues
  • Regulation of new services and technologies, including convergence of media and Digital Rights Management (DRM) issues.
  • Seminar participation (10%)

 

  • Take-home examination (90%) (18–21 September)

    or
  • Research paper 8,000 words (90%) (5 November) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A. N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Mr Jonathan Michael GillLawLawNNNNParkvillePARKVILLEFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730813730-8132August

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