Intellectual Property and Copyright
- Online delivery
- eClass
- 21 hour course, no prerequisites
Explore the etiquette, ethics, and various legal and policy issues that affect how we use social media. Discuss topics like copyright, privacy, intellectual property, fair dealing, creative commons, and the public domain. Learn how these issues play out differently nationally and internationally, as well as the implications of those differences for social media use.
Course at a glance
- Fully online asynchronous course, accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool.
- Aimed at those who want to better reach and communicate with their target audiences while understanding and building social media skills, including small business owners and those working in government, small to large enterprises, not-for-profits, and board-run organizations.
What you will learn
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Develop a working knowledge of ethical and legal issues in the context of social media communication.
- Understand the term user-generated content and how it applies to both managing and using content online.
- Examine and critically think about current rules (legal or societal) and common assumptions of copyright.
- Understand the basics of privacy protection as they relate to social media.
- Analyze where and how to acquire, use, and repurpose multimedia content in ways that follow etiquette, ethical, and legal standards.
Take note:
- This course has the equivalent of three hours of online instruction per week (including voice over PowerPoints, readings, and resource links), plus weekly assignments.
- Students are encouraged to build relationships and network with their classmates through forums and discussions.
- While there are no prerequisites for this course, a general working knowledge of Social Media platforms is recommended for student success.
- You will be expected to have existing social media accounts or to create them prior to the course start date.
This course has no prerequisites
Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.
Offered:
Course duration
Apr 6, 2021May 24, 2021
Asynchronous online learning, eClass
21 hours of instruction
In asynchronous online courses, students are expected to move through the course material at the same pace as their peers, but there are no real-time virtual classroom sessions to attend. All components of this type of course are accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. format details

Your Instructor
Jessica LaccettiID: jessica-laccetti
An active entrepreneur, educator, and practitioner, Jessica Laccetti holds a Ph.D. in Creative Technologies. She is an adjunct professor with the University of Alberta's Master of Arts in Communications and Technology, as well as an online communications specialist and web developer for the Alberta Geological Survey. Jessica has nearly 20 years of industry experience, holding progressively senior communications roles in organizations within Canada and Europe. She also loves creating communications strategies and putting them into action for local businesses and government via her own company.
Class info
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This is an asynchronous learning course. To start your online learning experience at the Faculty of Extension, visit https://ext-leo.ca/students/eclass-essentials/
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21 course hours in total
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Cost assistance: May be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant and the Canada Training Benefit. (view all)
Corporate multi-registration packages (groups of 4 or more) are available for most Extension courses. Contact us at corporate.learning@ualberta.ca for preferred pricing. -
Open for registration until April 6, 2021. Register at least one week before the course start date to secure your spot. If space is available you may register until the day the course starts.
Currently counts towards
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Certificate
in
Social Media
└ elective course
* If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.
You can register for and take a course without applying and enrolling into the program.
We recommend that you apply to the program as soon as possible to lock in your course requirements as they are subject to change.
Looking for different course dates?
New course schedules are released each June and November.
- Online delivery
- 21 hour course, no prerequisites
A note about courses during COVID-19: all online
All courses will be delivered online, including many that were previously unavailable in the online format.
If you do see a course or program on our website announced as an in-person or downtown Edmonton offering, please disregard the format – but not the course. There will be no in-person offerings through the Faculty of Extension for the Winter, Spring, and Summer 2021 terms.
Get ready to keep learning! Register for a course and join us online this year.