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Child Exploitation, Pornography, and the Internet: Seminar - Spring 2011

Spring term, Block D
Th 9:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Ms. Diane Rosenfeld and Ms. Dena Sacco
2 classroom credits LAW-98063A
2, 3, or 4 optional clinical credits Fall or Spring, or 2 Winter, LAW-98063C

This seminar addresses the complex legal, technological, and social questions created by the increasing distribution of both child and adult pornography on the Internet over the past decade. While prosecuting child pornography cases has become a law-enforcement priority, enforcement efforts have been increasingly challenged by developments in technology and concomitant changes in social mores. The seminar considers the legal frameworks for child and adult pornography, including the Constitutional and technological dimensions of regulatory efforts, the underlying social assumptions that result in the differences in how the law treats the two, and the relationship of child and adult pornography to sexual violence and exploitation. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Students who would like to participate in the optional clinical must enroll through clinical registration. Clinical placements are with the Cyberlaw Clinic of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society. At the clinic, students will supplement their educational experience by working for clients on matters relating to child exploitation, youth online safety, the Internet and new technology. Refer to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs website (http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical) for clinical registration dates, early add/drop deadlines, and other information about the clinical.