Over 2,000 students are participating in the sixth annual Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in arts, entertainment media law, being run by the Law Society Diploma Centre at Blackhall Place until 4 June.

The MOOC provides a short yet incisive overview of law, business practices and commercial realities for those working and contributing to these industries.

The participants criss-cross 25 countries with students from United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, Great Britain, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, India, Italy, Jersey, Jamaica, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Nigeria, Netherlands, Sweden, USA and South Africa.

Globe

A total of 1,787 MOOC students  are based in Ireland with 85 dialling in from disparate points around the globe.

The 30-39 age group is most strongly represented at 33% or 632 students. Next is 40-49-year-olds with 503 participants representing 26% of the total.

A stalwart five students are over 70, with 46 under 20 and 353 aged 20-29, 293 between 50-59 and 72 aged between 60-69.

Occupations

The participants break down into a wide range of occupations with 542 solicitors, 102 full-time students, 79 trainee solicitors, 62 arts administrators, 31 in the music industry, 28 barristers, 27 writers, 16 filmmakers, 15 photographers,14 teachers, 14 producers, 13 journalists, 12 editors, and 11 actors.

A full 70% – 1405 – of the participants are female with 603 men.

Current position

Week one looked at the current position of arts, entertainment and media in Ireland, and featured contributions from Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan and professional artist James Hanley among others. 

The MOOC Team is delighted with the take-up and happy to be able to widen access to legal education for all by embracing technology.