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, such as UK copyright reform, copyright and digital technology, media convergence, broadcast, international treaties, copyright harmonisation, copyright jurisdiction, and copyright for works produced in space. 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.