Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LIT2001

 
TITLE Computer Crime

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Information Policy and Governance

 
DESCRIPTION In this study unit, we will explore the legal issues surrounding on-line criminal conduct. Mindful of the central principle in criminal law that 'Nullum crimen sine lege', we will examine the evolution of criminal law relative to on-line criminal conduct and examine what 'on-line criminal conduct' that can be punished at law. This includes an analysis of both international (such as the Council of Europe Recommendation on computer-related crime No R (89) 9 adopted 13/09/1989, the CyberCrime Convention) and national legislation (such as the UK Computer Misuse Act) enacted to regulate on-line criminal behaviour. The study unit will adopt an explicitly comparative legal approach to the problem of cybercrime, focusing primarily on nations in Europe and North America.

Essentially four central questions will be addressed in this study-unit:
(a) What conduct is criminalised on the Internet?
(b) What are the main problems in controlling criminal behaviour on the Internet?
(c) What are the implications of prosecuting criminal behaviour on the Internet on privacy and other fundamental rights?
(d) What are the implications of cyber crime on traditional notions of state sovereignty?

Reading List:

- Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention (ETS No.85), Additional Protocol & Explanatory Memorandum
- Council of Europe Recommendation on Computer-Related Crime (R(89) 9)
- Lloyd, I. J. (2011). Information Technology Law (6th ed.). Oxford University Press: Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Stoll, Cliff (1989) The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy through a Maze of Computer Espionage. The Bodley Head: London.
- UK Computer Misuse Act

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit