Aims

This course examines major topics relating to cybercrime from an interdisciplinary perspective. These include offence types and techniques, targets, victimisation, social and financial cost, criminal marketplaces, offenders, detection and prevention, and regulation and policing. The course outlines: key debates in cybercrime research; how crime is committed using computer systems; and provides an understanding of how cybercrime is regulated, policed, detected, and prevented.

Syllabus

The course will consist of eight two-hour sessions covering:

• Tools and techniques of cybercrime
• Cybercrime victimisation
• Costs and harms of cybercrime
• Criminal marketplaces
• Cybercrime offenders and offender pathways
• Cybercrime prevention (situational and social approaches)
• Regulation and policy
• Cybercrime and the criminal justice system

In each session, the first hour will begin with a seminar-style presentation to introduce the main topic, followed by a facilitated discussion.

This will be followed by student paper presentations and led discussions (see coursework).

All participants are expected to attend and participate in every class, and to read the specified papers beforehand. The instructor must be notified of any absences in advance.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should:

• Have a broad knowledge of the key themes, debates, theory, and research in relation to cybercrime;
• Have developed further skills in critical analysis;
• Have developed skills in presenting a case study, critically evaluating current issues, and writing about cybercrime;
• Have a sound understanding of strategies to combat and prevent cybercrime;
• Understand the ethical and practical challenges in conducting cybercrime research.

Coursework

• 4 Essays: 1 x 1,000 words; 3 x 1,500 words.
• Presentations: each student will give one or more presentations

Assessment

Essays: 80%; Presentation: 20%

Recommended reading

Please see Course Materials for recommended reading for each session.