Course Syllabus

Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change. Instructors will notify students of any changes and students will be responsible for abiding by them. Even if you print this syllabus, please check the online version often.

Description

IST 432: Legal and Regulatory Environment of Information Science and Technology (3 credits) - This course serves as a required course for the Information Context: People, Organizations, and Society option and as an elective for the other options in the IST major. It is also a required course for the SRA major. Additionally, it can serve as an elective for related programs in other colleges.

Students in IST 432 will explore legal, regulatory, public policy and ethical issues in connection with all aspects of information science and technology, with a focus on new and emerging technologies. The course examines the legal, regulatory, and political environment within which intellectual property rights and e-commerce are evolving in the information technology environment. The course will include examination of contracting issues, licensing of information and products, data protection, patents, cyberspace regulation, and implications of technology for personal privacy. A fundamental goal of the course will be the manner in which legal and regulatory principles have evolved and been reinterpreted by courts and lawmakers in order to deal effectively with the challenges posed by new information technologies that characterize today's Digital Age.

Prerequisites

  • SRA 231 or IST 301, completed with a grade of "C" or better

Objectives

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Summarize the legal process and explain how judges and lawyers use critical reasoning
  • Compare, contrast, and evaluate the various types of intellectual property protections
  • Apply contract and employment law principles to real-world issues in the Internet and technology sectors
  • Describe applicable laws and governmental regulations relating to digital privacy, security, and computer crime

Instructor

  • TBD

Materials

  • There are no materials to purchase for this course. All necessary materials will be provided.

Assignments & Grading

Course Grading Breakdown
Grading Category Total Points Percentage of Final Grade
Quizzes 400 40%
Group Research Project 230 23%
Homework Assignments 315 31.5%
Discussions 30 3%
Peer Evaluation 25 2.5%
TOTAL 1000 100%

Course Grading Scale

The following are minimum cutoffs for each grade:

  • 93.00% = A
  • 90.00% = A-
  • 87.00% = B+
  • 83.00% = B
  • 80.00% = B-
  • 77.00% = C+
  • 70.00% = C
  • 60.00% = D
  • less than 60.00% = F

Course Policies and Expectations

  • Assignment Submission Guidelines:

    • All assignments must be submitted by the corresponding deadlines in order to receive full credit.  Only one submission will be allowed per assignment.  Please do not submit drafts of assignments for "pre-grading" or advance feedback.

  • Make-up Exams, Quizzes & Other Assignments/Late Assignments:

    • No make-up exams, quizzes or other assignments will be given without prior approval by the instructor and valid written documentation supporting the request.  The same rule applies to homework assignments and in-class activities.

    • Make-ups for tests and/or assignments for students who do not comply with these rules may, at the discretion of the instructor, be allowed on a reduced-point basis.  Assignments turned in late will, at the discretion of the instructor, be graded on a reduced-point basis.

    • Factors to be considered in determining whether or not to allow a discretionary make-up include, but are not limited to, (1) the reason for the request, and (2) the timeliness of the request.
  • Grades for Teams:

    • All team members are expected to contribute equitably to the work of their respective teams.  Accordingly, all team members will normally receive the same grade for each assignment.

    • If, however, there is evidence that one or more team members contributed either minimally or not at all, the instructor reserves the right to reduce their grades.

    • Additionally, in cases in which there are disputes about the contributions of individual team members, the instructor reserves the right to assign to individual team members specific, individual "deliverables" for remaining team-based assignments.

  • Logging into Canvas - Students are expected to login regularly to check for course updates, announcements, emails, discussions, etc.

  • Emailing through Canvas - Students are expected to use Canvas for all course email communication.
  • Attending virtual meetings - Students are expected to use specified virtual meeting tool(s) for collaboration, meetings, presentations, etc., as needed.

Academic Integrity

Penn State and the College of Information Sciences and Technology are committed to maintaining Penn State's policy on Academic Integrity in this and all other courses. We take academic integrity matters seriously and expect you to become a partner to the University/College standards of academic excellence.

For more information, please review these policies and procedures:

While utilizing additional sources outside of this class is encouraged for gaining a better understanding of course concepts, seeking explicit answers for graded assignments from outside sources (e.g. Course Hero, Chegg, tutoring services like tutor.com, etc.) is considered CHEATING and will not be tolerated. Sanctions range from failure of the assignment or course to dismissal from the University. Additionally, sharing course content without permission is a violation of copyright and may result in university sanctions and/or legal ramifications. Contact your instructor with questions related to this topic. 

University Policies

Review current information regarding various Penn State policies (such as copyright, counseling, psychological services, disability and military accommodations, discrimination, harassment, emergencies, trade names, etc.) on the University Policies page.

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage (http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/).

Resources

Find extensive information and links to many Penn State and IST resources (including the Penn State libraries, video conferencing tools, technology and software, writing and research help, and much more) on the Resources page.

Technical Requirements

Standard World Campus computer technical specifications are assumed for this course. Please test your computer for requirements. In addition, a webcam and a headset with a microphone are REQUIRED for the course. These may be used for virtual meetings, virtual office hours, interactions with classmates and your instructor, and group presentations - which are all conducted with virtual meeting tools. No special software is required.

Schedule

The following schedule outlines the topics covered in this course, along with the associated time frames, readings, activities, and assignments. All due dates reflect Eastern Time (ET). Specifying the time zone ensures that all students have the same deadlines, regardless of where they live.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due