Net Neutrality Assignment

ITS 304 Net Neutrality Assignment

Network neutrality has become a major issue, with people arguing hotly on all sides of the issue. Those who support net neutrality argue that it is necessary for the very existence of the Internet as we know it. Those who are against net neutrality argue that it will destroy the Internet as we know it.

For this assignment (which is worth a possible 50 points), I’d like to bring the debate over net neutrality into the classroom and give us all a chance to delve into the pros and cons of the debate. I’d also like to give you a chance to work with your colleagues, so this will be a team assignment. For this assignment, the class will be organized into four teams, with two teams against net neutrality and two teams in favor of it.

Each team will do the following:

1. Pretend that you are the regulatory policy group in a company or organization that is either for or against net neutrality. One of the pro-net neutrality teams will be in the ISP or content industry, the other pro-net neutrality team will be a consumer group. One of the anti-net neutrality teams will be a large telco, the other will be a large cable company. 2. Research the issues involved in net neutrality, using academic journals, newspaper articles, trade journals, etc. 3. Write a position paper explaining your company’s or organization’s position and the reasons for that position. Make it clear why your organization or company would logically take this position. The position paper should be 4-5 pages in length and have endnotes and a bibliography. 4. As a team, present your arguments in class.

The papers are due on March 1, 2011, and that is when the in-class debate will take place.