This module looks at current issues in web development from engineering, legal and social perspectives.
Current engineering issues focus on research into web engineering methods, techniques and tools.
Current legal issues relate to intellectual property rights, privacy and censorship.
Current social issues centre on the emerging Information Society and the social construction of technology.
The module uses various theoretical frameworks to analyse, model, understand and evaluate both web development methods and web applications, leading to fundamental questions about the nature of web systems development being asked. This enriches the students' understanding of the work of the web development professional.
Students will have the opportunity to discuss some of the wider issues that may be influenced by, or impact on, the development of the Internet, such as the nature of e-democracy and virtual communities. They will also be able to explore different concepts of information, ownership, systems, organisations and society.
On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to
This module will be assessed by examination.