Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Copyright in Photography, Film, and Literature
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: LMD09150
Module leader: C. Paul Sellors
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

On this module you will examine the theory, history, and philosophy of copyright in photography, film and literature. You will develop an understanding of the core principles of copyright and moral rights, the international agreements on copyright, and the similarities and differences between national copyright laws. In doing so you will learn key principles of British, Commonwealth, European, and American copyright laws. You will also evaluate the historical definitions of authorship on which copyright relies, the foundations of copyright in romantic philosophies of creativity and nationhood, and nation-state assumptions about property and economic growth. This module also prompts you to explore the relationships between creative practice and the legal protections and prohibitions that media producers face. The module further considers fair dealing, the public domain, contracts, and competing philosophies of copyright. In the module you can also propose and explore your own interests in copyright. Topics students have added include UK copyright reform, copyright in fan fiction and adaptations, copyright and digital technology, media convergence, copyright for works produced in space, and copyright and AI. Structured as an advanced research seminar, and as preparation for dissertation modules, this module will help you to develop core research skills, including how to identify, analyse, and compare methodologies, identify and critically reflect on relevant research sources, compose research questions, present research in progress orally to colleagues for discussion, contribute to scholarly debate, and produce cogent, detailed arguments that set out and answer research questions which you determine. Additionally, this module provides you with an understanding of copyright that will help you understand how to protect and exploit the products of your own creative practice. The wide range of topics considered in this module, and the opportunity for students to propose their own topics, make the module appropriate for students in most programmes in the School of Arts and Creative Industries.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate knowledge of and critically reflect on arguments and methodologies utilised to elucidate the history, function, and purpose of copyright law.

LO2: Construct and implement a viable research programme from the critical literature on copyright.

LO3: Critically reflect on the relationship between copyright and culture.

LO4: Contribute effectively to peer discussions and reviews.

LO5: Evaluate and engage with peer review of your research.

LO6: Produce clearly defined, rigorous, and detailed arguments.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2024/5, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: C. Paul Sellors
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Seminar 39 This is a seminar module delivered in a round-table format. Each week there is a set topic on copyright, and a body of scholarship which we all read and discuss. As you work through the early topics in the module, you will begin to conceive of your own project, either from the syllabus or from questions about copyright and related concerns that you wish to explore. In one week you will present your research in progress, and in other weeks you will discuss your colleagues research.
Online Guided independent study 161 Before each class you will read and take notes on the required readings. This should take on average about three hours per week. In addition, you will develop your own research project, starting around week 3 or 4, developing it throughout the trimester until it is due in week 13. This longitudinal approach to research, supported by the module leader and peer discussion, will help to prepare you for year 4 research projects.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Essay 65 1~2~3~5~6 Week 13 , WORDS= 3000 You will develop a 3000 words essay on a topic on copyright in photography, film, and/or literature, and related subjects, as discussed in the module. You will develop your own research question and design your own research project from the topics studied in the module. Your topic can be from the syllabus, or one that you propose and which is approved by the module leader. In addition to the comprehension and reasoning skills that you have developed previously in your studies, you will learn how to write a basic literature review and discuss methodologies.
Oral Presentation 25 1~2~3~5~6 Week 11 HOURS= 15 minutes From week 3 or 4 you will start your research for your essay for this module, which is submitted in week 13. During the module you will present your research in progress to your peers in the seminar. This is in the form of a round table discussion. You will discuss one reading that all of the class will read, and bring into your discussion at least three other sources. Your presentation will be assessed on the development of your research, as appropriate for the week in which you present. After presenting for a minimum of 15 minutes your peers will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your work. The principle of the presentation is that the class works collegially to help to improve each student's project.
Discussion/Participation 10 4 Not Yet Determi HOURS= Full trimester A seminar class benefits from extensive student participation to explore the weekly topics, to discuss colleagues' research collegially, and to benefit from the questions and insights of colleagues. You will be assessed on your preparation and discursive contributions to each week's class.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Copyright in Photography, Film, and Literature
 

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