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Crime and Justice in the Online Space - SPY00081H

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  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

In 2000, the introduction of Web 2.0 and the ‘internet of things’ triggered a revolution in the way we communicate, live and work. This module will take different aspects of technology and consider the impact for crime and criminal justice. Issues will be considered individually, locally and globally, with students given the opportunity to engage with exciting emerging research.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

Each week, the lecture will provide an overview of a different aspect of technology. The weekly seminars, framed around topical social and policy questions will then complement this information, giving students the opportunity to explore the impact of technology on different forms of crime and justice; whilst also considering how the use and governance of technologies is implemented through policies, regulation and legislation, in the UK and elsewhere.

Students studying this module will explore up-to-the-minute topics, including the growth in economic cybercrime and electronic fraud; how gender-based violence has transferred online; the use of surveillance by both criminals and the state; technology in policing, and the role of online campaigning by victims / survivors of crime.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Identify and analyse the key issues arising from the developments in technology for criminal justice agencies in the UK and elsewhere.

  • Assess and analyse individuals' everyday encounters and experiences with technologies, and how these can increase / reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of cybercrime.

  • Critically assess the extent to which current developments can be explained by mainstream criminological theoretical frameworks.

  • Identify and analyse the different regulatory, legislative and policy responses introduced to tackle the issue of cybercrime.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Students receive feedback in line with SBS policy after the essay has been marked.

Indicative reading

Jane, E. A. (2017) Misogyny online: a short (and brutish) history. London: Sage.

Salter, M. (2017) Crime, justice and social media. Abingdon: Routledge.

Wessels, B. (2010) Understanding the internet: a socio-cultural perspective. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Yar, M. and Steinmetz, K. F. (2019) Cybercrime and society. (3rd Edition). London: Sage.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.