SC5063 - Cybercrime and Surveillance (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||
| Module title | Cybercrime and Surveillance | ||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||
| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module will look at the dark side of technology and the way it has transformed criminal activities. It will engage with the different types of cyber-crime and strategies to combat them, including the challenges of policing the internet, especially when it comes to crimes taking place across different jurisdictions. The second part of this module will analyse e-surveillance, through critically examining how our daily transactional data are managed, particularly in regards to right to privacy versus security issues, as well as the exploitation of personal data for corporate purposes.
The module aims:
1. To provide an overview of the main issues in the field of cybercrime, through the analysis and evaluation of the academic research.
2. To critically explore the challenges of researchers and practitioners investigating cybercrime.
3. To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of e-surveillance, while analysing the ways in which the stored transactional data is being used by law enforcement bodies and corporations.
Prior learning requirements
Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
This module will focus on the following key subjects:
● Introduction: defining cybercrime and cyberspace
● Evolution of cybercrime
● Spam, hacking, viruses and phishing
● Identity theft and financial scams
● Copyright violations
● Online grooming and pornography
● Cyberbullying and stalking
● Dark nets
● Key challenges in regulating and policing the internet
● Control of personal data: privacy, freedom of expression and data protection
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
A variety of teaching and learning methods are employed to facilitate the development of subject-specific knowledge. These include lectures, seminars, workshops and self-directed student learning. To facilitate the learning process, you are provided with a dedicated Blackboard platform upon which study resources are located including relevant publications and hyperlinks to relevant web-based resources.
You are provided with opportunities to develop reflexive learning through engaging in a range of exploratory and research-based activities; you are also given the opportunity to evaluate your own practice in relation to your personal development in seminar contexts.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
1. Comprehend and differentiate between existing types of cybercrime.
2. Show an awareness of cyberspace and its social context.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the new technological trends, in relation to cybercrime.
4. Demonstrate a grasp of critical understanding of the main challenges associated with regulating and policing the cyberspace.
5. Engage in a critical evaluation of the effectiveness, as well as the drawbacks of e-surveillance.
Assessment strategy
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
1. Essay 2,500 word OR VLOG (15 min)
Bibliography
Key reading:
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/682AEDD4-8F60-B835-E8F7-A3C4BDCCDDD1.html?lang=en&login=1