LAW8593 : IP and Global Cultural Production
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to School approval at module registration
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jiarong Zhang
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module will give students an insight into and critical understanding of the intersections of intellectual property (IP) law and global cultural production. Specifically, how IP theories, principles, and policies have been shaped by global cultural production, and how they have shaped and are shaping the generation and circulation of cultural products, practices, and perceptions globally. The module considers the international IP system, regional IP governance, conflicts between the global north and global south, and national IP laws of some jurisdictions (e.g., the US) as determined by contemporary academic debates in the field, which will provide students with a global perspective and a comparative dimension. The module will include four themes: cultural equality, cultural appropriation, cultural diversity, and cultural heritage, taking ‘critical IP theory’ as a methodology. Each theme consists of a lecture and a case study. Lectures will enable students to gain knowledge of IP theories, principles, and policies in relation to the specific themes. Case studies will enable students to critically reflect and discuss the specific themes based on knowledge delivered in lectures, academic debates in essential and recommended readings, and their cultural experiences.
Outline Of Syllabus
Indicative course outline (these case studies are subject to change based on combinations of student interest and current academic debates in the IP legal field):
1) An Introduction to intellectual property law and global cultural production
2) IP and cultural equality
3) Case study: Gender of inventorship and colour of creatorship
4) IP and cultural appropriation
5) Case study: Disney lawsuits
6) IP and cultural diversity
7) Case study: WIPO-UNESCO conventions and model laws
8) IP and cultural heritage
9) Case study: Digitalisation of cultural heritage in war and climate change
10) Concluding and summing up
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Activities based around weekly workshops |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Online drop-in sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 97:00 | 97:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
In terms of the specific teaching methods, workshops have been chosen as the most suitable method of teaching for this content, which combined an element of semi-structured lecturing with student interaction and activities. This is facilitated by the structured research and reading activities, where in advance of classes, students read materials provided before each session, discussing the specific themes of global cultural production relating to IP acting as the focus of the session. Students will then use this reading to develop a position in advance of the bi-weekly student-led activity in workshops. In addition to these formal classes, there will be a number of drop-in/surgery hours, where students can ask questions regarding course content and specific readings or to prepare for the assessment for the module. Directed research and reading will be prepared for each session, which allows students to develop greater insight into the areas of legal research discussed in each activity, with an additional reading list provided on Canvas as further readings or a library list, which can then be used by students drafting their research proposal during their assessment preparation and completion.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 20 | 10-15 minutes |
| Research paper | 2 | M | 80 | 3500 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment for this module comprises two elements: one group presentation worth 20% of the grade, and one 3,500-word essay worth 80% of the grade. The purpose of the presentation is to give students confidence in presenting their ideas in an oral form, working in small groups so as to improve their collaborative skillset. Students will take one of the themes covered in the module and make a 10-15 minute presentation on the issues arising in their chosen area of focus, as well as having experience of receiving questions and feedback on their presentation. The cognitive and transferable skills developed through this exercise will be beneficial to students in preparing for activities outside of an academic setting. The 3,500-word essay will be based on the four specific themes covered in the module, with students having the flexibility to choose one of the assigned questions, conduct independent research (developed through the directed reading activities, as well as through conducting research for the presentations), and provide a nuanced and reflective answer on an issue of IP governance and global cultural production.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW8593's Timetable