Last modified: 15 Sep 2025 16:16
The course addresses international legal issues raised by the increasing need to secure information and communication technology. It gives a comprehensive map of the international cybersecurity governance; explores the modalities of international cyberattacks; discusses data protection in the EU and UK; questions the role of States in international cybersecurity, examines what cyberoperations violate international law and how States could react to them; also studies the role of private companies, including online platforms, in securing cyberspace. Teaching will be principally delivered through discussion-based seminars.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
The course addresses international legal issues raised by the increasing need to secure information and communication technology. It gives a comprehensive map of the international cybersecurity governance; explores the modalities of international cyberattacks; discusses data protection in the EU and UK; questions the role of States in international cybersecurity, examines what cyberattacks violate international law and how States could react to them; also studies the role of private companies, including online platforms, in securing cyberspace. Teaching will be principally delivered through discussion-based seminars.
The intended learning outcomes of the course are the following:
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1,000-word Case Study worth 30% of the overall grade. Written feedback provided. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace |
| Factual | Evaluate | An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities |
| Procedural | Create | An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written |
| Reflection | Analyse | An ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2-hour exam worth 60% of the overall grade. Written feedback for the exam. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace |
| Factual | Evaluate | An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities |
| Procedural | Create | An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written |
| Reflection | Analyse | An ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Multiple-Choice Questions class test worth 10% of the overall grade. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace |
| Factual | Evaluate | An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities |
| Procedural | Create | An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3). |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Analyse | An ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases |
| Conceptual | Understand | An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace |
| Factual | Evaluate | An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities |
| Procedural | Create | An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written |
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