The module provides a critical understanding of the law relating to cybercrime, which describe criminal activities relating to digital networks and devices. The module covers key debates around the role of law and criminal justice in regulating network connected technologies to prevent cybercrimes, looking at critical questions surrounding their governance, use and effects like online harms, rights infringement, and discriminatory practices. It also looks at technological fundamentals of networks (primarily the Internet), the influence of social norms, values, cybercrime sentencing and interests on the regulatory design of the Internet, consequences of regulating the use of technology and how internet based technologies impact on the legal order, and legal concepts like fairness and privacy. The module draws comparisons with legislation, case law, and policy from various regions (including the UAE), to examine the implications of these technologies for law.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate critical understanding of the nature of cybercrime in law and society.
Explain and evaluate the ways in which internet based technologies impact on the legal order and evaluate different theoretical approaches to the regulation of cyberspace (the Internet).
Consider what your understanding of the impact of new technologies on traditional principles of law and cybercrime prevention tells you about the political, social and cultural implications of these technologies for law.
Identify and use primary and secondary source materials relevant to this field.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment:
3000 word written essay (75%) and group presentation (5 minutes per person) (25%)
