CRIM6050
10 units
6000 level
Course handbook
Description
Threats posed by cybercriminals to individuals, businesses, and nation states are growing in volume and sophistication. Preventing, disrupting, and prosecuting cybercrime is a priority focus for police, and is a national and global research priority. This course advances students’ knowledge of cyber-offences, notably fraud scams for financial gain which range from phishing and identify theft, to malware and ransomware attacks. Advanced knowledge of these offences, how to successfully prioritise and prosecute them, and appraise their impact on victim-survivors will be valuable for anyone wanting to further their work in the criminal justice system as well as investigators in private practice, and NGOs that respond to related issues. Theory-based critique and applied understanding of cybercrime will emphasise the impacts of cybercrime as a driver of social inequality, particularly for Indigenous communities, and the integral role that community engagement plays in comprehensive responses to harms generated through digital technologies. Drawing on relevant case studies, the course complements Cybercrime and Security II, a 6000-level course that advances harm prevention through cybersecurity strategy and tactics.
Availability
Not currently offered.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Explain trends in cybercrime
2. Critically analyse types of cybercrime
3. Appraise criminal justice responses to cybercrime and their effectiveness for victim-survivors
4. Critique a cybercrime issue using criminological theory
5. Reframe knowledge of criminal justice issues and theory to compose varied responses for a range of audiences
Content
Topics will include:
- The history of cybercrime
- Categories of cybercrime - computer-related, content, and copyright
- Theoretical and cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of cybercrime - criminological, legal, and techno-social
- Jurisdictional issues with prosecuting cybercrime
- Evidential recovery
- Cyber offences – including fraud, trespass, and theft
- Cyber abuse – including harassment and online image-based abuse
- Device crime
- Organised cybercrime
- Cyber threats to national security
- The prevalence and impact of cybercrime on victim-survivors
- Police and criminal justice institutional responses to cybercrime
- The digital divide and digital exclusion and their impact on Indigenous and other vulnerable communities
- Citizen-led regulation of cybercrime
Assessment items
Professional Task: Literature Review
Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Case Study
Presentation: Gap Analysis
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.