Cybercrime? Critically discuss.

Cybercrime? Critically discuss.

Cybercrime: Critical Perspectives 2017-2018

Artefact 1 Guidance

Artefact 1: 2000 word (+/- 10%) - Essay (60%)                   

You should write a 2000-word essay on the following:

Cybercrime? Critically discuss.

*Hint the ‘?’ after the cybercrime is very significant (if it has mistakenly been omitted anywhere else such as on moodle please ensure that you include it when writing your essays as this will help you to question and challenge from the outset

Structure of the essay

As with any academic essay the structure should follow a logical narrative and have a clear argument throughout. In the first instance the introduction should indicate what the main focus of the essay is and then briefly set out what are the key areas that will be discussed in the main body of the text, before indicating to the reader what is the stance/ core argument that the essay is taking. The main body of the text should then follow, what has been outlined, referred to in the introduction – drawing on relevant academic literature and theory (properly cited and referenced) to evidence discussions throughout. Finally the conclusion should briefly reiterate the key points raised and show how/why the core argument of the essay is substantiated.

Content of the essay

The question is deliberately broad to allow students to focus on key areas of interest to them, although a broad brush approach can be utilised by incorporating various issues, you SHOULD NOT try to address too many topics/ issues – it is better to have a focus and provide richer answers. Therefore essays can focus on one approach/ theory or different approaches/ theories but they must have theory included. 

Although I cannot be too prescriptive about the content, the essay should focus on key area/s in relation to the themes ’theoretical perspectives’  ‘deconstructing cybercrime’ and ‘unmasking the cybercriminals’. However, the core of the essay should address how cybercrime is understood/ conceptualised/ constructed/ perceived  (it is for you to decide which is appropriate) by whom, and where this is drawn from, and the different approaches. This then feeds into the wider implications as to what types of offences are understood as cybercrimes and who are perceived to be cybercriminals. Where relevant, it is up to you as to what examples of cybercrimes/ cybercriminals you use.

There is no one right way to address this question, the key thing is that you are able to demonstrate that they understand the issue/s are able to inform it/ them with their knowledge from background reading, and can apply theory; via a coherent logical narrative throughout the essay.