B0139 - CYBERCRIME

Academic Year 2023/2024

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in International Relations (cod. 9084)

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to: understand and critically discuss the conceptual and theoretical foundations of cybercrime research; understand and critically discuss cutting edge empirical research on cybercrimes; understand and critically discuss the main tools and practices related to the prevention and countering of cybercrimes, and to their harm mitigation; understand and critically discuss the social challenges and implications of digitalization and datafication in the context of cybercrime research and investigations; develop an approach to cybercrimes that recognises the cross-disciplinary nature of the area.

Course contents

  • INTRODUCTION
    • Criminological Explanations of Cybercrime
    • Cybercrime Types
    • The Importance of Cyberlaw
  • CYBERCRIME AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE
    • Perception of Cybercrime
    • Criminal Profiling
  • CYBERCRIME AND HIGH TECH 
    • Hacking Techniques
    • Social Engineering
    • Artificial Intelligence and Cybercrime
    • Metaverse for criminal activities
    • Law Enforcement simulation training with augmented and virtual reality
    • Internet of Things (IoT) and Crime
  • CYBERCRIME IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
    • Information warfare and political destabilization
    • The Role of Intelligence in Cyberspace
    • Cyber Espionage
    • Cyber Terrorism
    • Real-time Cyber Threat monitoring
  • Study cases

Readings/Bibliography

In addition to the slides explained during the lessons, students who regularly attend classes should read the following: [to be inserted]

Students who do not regularly attend classes should also read the following texts: [to be inserted]

Teaching methods

The course is organized into lectures in presence and/or online, webinars, and interviews with a few subject matter experts.

Students must read the assigned material carefully and are expected to participate in several group practices actively.

Assessment methods

The exercises are an integral part of the evaluation, to which is added a mid-term test of 5 closed questions and 1 open critical comment.

At the end of the course, the discussion of a short research work will be required on one of the topics of greatest interest to the candidate.

Teaching tools

Teams and linked apps, visual materials, assignments, lectures recording, IA apps, Metaverse apps.

Office hours

See the website of Luisa Dall'Acqua