Competition in Digital Markets (LAWS90171)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
February
Teaching staff:
Michal Gal (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | February |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Digital markets are affecting many aspects of our lives, transforming products, services, terms of trade, and even employment markets. The rising importance of big data, algorithmic decision-making, and online platforms create complex regulatory challenges for ensuring that the digital markets increase welfare. Competition law has an important role to play in this digital eco-system. Accordingly, this subject explores the complex challenges that digital markets pose to competition law. To do so, this subject will first analyse the unique characteristics of the digital environment and how they affect market dynamics. It will then analyse the main challenges to competition law, including coordination through algorithmic interactions, market power based on big data, abusive conduct by platforms and intermediaries, and defining markets and market power in digital eco-systems. It will also explore the intersection between competition, consumer protection and privacy, which is raising important institutional questions for the allocation and coordination of regulatory responses. This subject will explore global developments in this complex and fast-moving field. Drawing on the latest literature and major cases and inquiries, it will equip students to critically engage with and meet the challenges posed for business and its advisors and for policymakers, regulators and law enforcers in digital markets.
This subject is led by two of the world’s competition law experts, with particular expertise in the regulation of digital markets.
indicative list of principal topics:
- Analysing the special characteristics of digital markets and the unique market dynamics they create, including:
- Defining Big Data
- Analysing the dynamics of Big Data markets, including entry barriers and network effects
- Exploring advancements in algorithmic decision-making, including machine learning and deep learning
- Debating the competitive significance of algorithmic decision-making based on Big Data
- Exploring the role of digital intermediaries, including platforms, in the digital eco-system
- Analysing the unique challenges that digital markets pose to competition law enforcement, including:
- Increased coordination through algorithmic interactions
- Market power based on big data
- Abusive conduct by platforms and intermediaries
- Defining markets and market power in digital eco-systems
- Big Data and merger review
- Challenges created by the bundling of different products and services in the digital eco-system
- Analysing the intersection between competition, consumer protection and privacy
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will:
- have an advanced and integrated understanding of the nature and significance of the characteristics and dynamics of digital markets, their related technologies, and the actors in this eco-system for competition policy and law;
- be able to critically examine and analyse the application of competition law tools to business strategies and transactions in digital markets;
- be an informed and engaged participant in important debates about the effects of Big Data, algorithmic decision-making and digital platforms in competition policy and law and the need to adapt rules and tools to accommodate this role;
- have sophisticated cognitive and technical skills that equip them to apply and communicate their learning in the contexts of merger review, abuse of dominance and collusion;
- appreciate the institutional synergies and tensions between the fields of competition, consumer protection and privacy as policy and regulatory responses in digital markets; and
- have an advanced capacity to use the knowledge and skills students have gained in the subject in a way that demonstrates effective autonomy, judgment, adaptability and responsibility as an expert learner and practitioner in the field of global competition and consumer law.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
Previous studies and/or relevant work experience in competition law is required for this subject.
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment.
Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent).
Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation based on contribution to discussion throughout the teaching period and on leading the discussion on an assigned topic | Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
Take-home Exam
| 4-7 April 2025 | 80% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Michal Gal Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 29 January 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 26 February 2025 to 4 March 2025 Last self-enrol date 3 February 2025 Census date 28 February 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 11 April 2025 Assessment period ends 16 May 2025 February contact information
Teaching staff:
Michal Gal (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
Last updated: 4 March 2025