Course Catalogue

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The use of cyberspace has developed rapidly in the past decade. Digital technology has penetrated everyday life. With it, cybercrime has evolved to be one of the major security threats facing governments in the 21st century. Security threats in the online environment are multiple, and stem from negligence from businesses dealing with customer data, to criminals, 'terrorists', and even other governments. States are only beginning to grapple with the technical, legal, and social implications of this new environment, and as internet penetration and internet-connected devices are increasing across the globe, so too is the need for swift international legal coordination and cooperation.

In this module, we will analyse various taxonomies for cybercrime, cyberespionage, cyberterrorism and cyberwarfare. We will consider relevant legal frameworks and analyse how some of the relevant international instruments are transposed in domestic law. The course will have a particular focus on cybercrime, and the law which defines and prohibits it. We will address the intersection between international and domestic legal regimes, because cyberspace - and often with it cybercrime - operates in a sphere beyond state borders.

While there is a focus on international frameworks and harmonisation efforts (such as the Council of Europe's Cybercrime Convention and within the EU), the nature of the topic demands consideration of how relevant rules apply in practice, and domestic law - particularly in the UK and US - is drawn upon in order to inform analysis.

This is a challenging module with a dynamic and evolving subject matter. Significant emphasis is placed on self-learning, enabling concentration on very specific topics and issues.

On-campus seminars are held weekly and are two hours each in duration

This course is only available to LLB students.

Recommended Public International Law (or equivalent)

None

None

There are two units of summative assessment for this module. The first is a law reform project (2500 words) worth 60%. Students will be asked to make and justify a law reform proposal in a specific area of cybercrime law. Indicative topics will be provided, but students will also be encouraged to identify topics of their own choosing.

The second point of assessment will consist of a 60-minute unseen examination worth 40%. Students will have a choice of essay questions and will be required to answer one from a choice of three.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims to:

1. Offer an opportunity to explore the threat landscape and some of the security challenges posed with the advent of the Internet and its increasing role in our lives;

2. Examine the various forms of cyberthreats (broadly cybercrime, cyberespionage, cyberterrorism, and cyberwarfare) and applicable taxonomies and laws.

3. Provide a critical understanding of the role of national and international law in suppressing and prosecuting cybercrime and related phenomena. 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate practical and legal awareness of the nature of different cyber threats.

2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of domestic and international legal frameworks prohibiting cybercrime, cyberterrorism, cyberespionage and cyberwar.

3. construct clear and coherent arguments about cyber threats under international law.

4. evaluate critically international and domestic offences relating to cybercrime.

5. Propose law reform measures on diverse areas of cybercrime law.  

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.