Cyber Crime
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI4097 | Sociology and Social Policy | 4 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- SOCI4097
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module provides a criminological and sociological overview of cyber crime, its perpetration, regulation, and the experience of victims. It draws on key literature and current research to consider the ways in which new and emerging forms of digital media and information and communication technologies provide opportunities for a variety of deviant and criminal behaviours. It considers the emergence of various forms of cyber crime in a critical, comparative and engaging manner, and also highlights the influence of global trends and technological developments on their emergence and occurrence. The key issues, themes and concepts which are addressed include:
- Theoretical and methodological issues when studying cyber crime.
- Case studies of cyber crimes which typically may include for example: fraud, identify theft, hacking, online pornography, child sexual exploitation (CSE), online harassment, trolling, and cyberstalking, crimes on the dark web.
- Victims’ experiences of cyber crime and its societal impact.
- Motivations for perpetration of certain cyber crimes.
- Cyber crime in a global world and transnational policing.
Target Students
Only available to students on a MA SSR programme (all pathways) in the School of Sociology and Social Policy and Postgraduate Exchange students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 40% Coursework 1: 1,500 words.
- 60% Coursework 2: 2,500 words.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
By the end of this module students will be equipped with an advanced and critical understanding of how the recent and continuing emergence of new forms of digital media, information and communication technologies has resulted in ‘cyber crime’. This understanding will be the outcome of extensive reading, seminar discussions, lectures, and of an analysis of a specific and relevant case study (chosen by the students), which will constitute the module assessment.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- Insight into and understanding of theoretical perspectives of cyber crime.
Critical insight into how cyber crime has been researched and managed in sociology and criminology. - Insight into and understanding of cultural, political and social factors’ contribution to emergence and perpetration of cyber crime online and via digital media.
- Critical insight into practices around the policing and regulation of cyber crime, and the importance of social actors’ lived experience and perspective for understanding cyber crime victimisation.
Intellectual Skills
- Advanced ability to use theory and data to construct critical arguments.
- Advanced ability to present such arguments in oral and written form.
- Advanced ability to use and assess evidence to address questions and construct critical arguments based on reasoned analysis.
Professional/Practical Skills
- Advanced ability to critically engage with complex concepts and theories.
- Effective discussion and communication skills.
Transferable Skills
- Advanced ability to carry out independent research, using time-planning and management.
- Advanced ability to retrieve and evaluate a wide range of sources of information.