TGM 662 |
Summer (I) 2001 |
J. Blanke |
Syllabus
Announcements
Legal Links
Course: |
TGM 662 - Computers and the Law | |
Instructor: |
Jordan M. Blanke | |
Office: |
A217 | |
Telephone: |
(678) 547-6313 | |
Internet: |
blanke_j@mercer.edu | |
Office Hours: |
Tuesday | 5:00-6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | |
Course Description
Course ObjectivesAn investigation of various legal issues relevant to the environment of computers and technology. Topics will include protection of intellectual property: copyright, patent, trade secret and trademark law; contract law: acquiring hardware and software, licensing agreements and employee agreements; tort liability: physical and economic injury, strict liability and computer malpractice; the right of privacy; computer crime; and electronic media issues.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
 | describe the American legal system, various sources of law, and the structure and procedure of Federal and state courts. |
| identify several ways of protecting intellectual property. |
| discuss basic concepts of contract law and various contractual issues relevant to the computer and technology industries. |
| identify a variety of emerging legal topics relating to computers and technolgy. |
None
Textbook
Class Assignments and EvaluationcyberLAW - Ferrera, Lichtenstein, Reder, August & Schiano
Written Research
There will be a legal research paper assigned. It will be discussed in greater detail in class. It should be at least 10 pages long. It will be due on the last night of class.
Evaluation Criteria
| Midterm Exam Final Exam Research Paper Class Participation |
35% 35% 25% 5% |
Note from the Professor
Mercer University Honor Code and CouncilThe midterm and final examination will cover the assigned readings, as well as any additional material covered in class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed - both material covered and future assignments. No make-up examinations will be given. If you cannot be present for a test (for a legitimate reason), let me know beforehand - call me at my office and tell me, or leave a message on my answering machine. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero on that test.
See Mercer catalog for detailed description.
Honor Code
Mercer University Atlanta expects each and every student to maintain the highest principles of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty represent a breach of the University's expectations and will be regarded as a serious matter.
All work on tests must be your own. Any inappropriate copying or collaboration on any test will result in a grade of 'F' for the course.
Course Reading and Learning Schedule:
(Syllabus subject to change at the discretion of the Professor)
| Session | Date | Preparation | Course Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 22 | Handouts Ch. 1 |
Introduction to the Law Technology and Cyberlaw |
| 2 | May 29 | Ch. 2 Ch. 3 |
Jurisdiction Trademarks |
| 3 | June 5 | Ch. 4 Handouts |
Copyrights and Patents Trade Secret Law |
| 4 | June 7 | Ch. 5 | Online Contracting |
| June 12 | No class | ||
| 5 | June 19 | Midterm Exam | |
| 6 | June 26 | Ch. 8 Ch. 9 Ch. 10 |
Privacy Obscenity Defamation |
| 7 | June 28 | Ch. 11 Ch. 12 Ch. 13 |
Internet and
Information Security Internet and Computer Crime Global Issues |
| July 3 | No class | ||
| 8 | July 10 | Final Exam Research Papers Due |