Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences
This course explains and teaches Cybersecurity from a psychological, sociological, criminological, political, economical and legal angles
Course Material
Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, PracticesLinks to an external site.
School of Cybersecurity Old Dominion University
Assignments Spring 2024
Instructor Email
Diwakar Yalpi vyalpi@odu.edu
Course Outline
| Week | Topic | Readings and Assignments |
| 1 | Introduction to CourseIntroduction to the Social Sciences | Bhattacherjee (2012) (ch. 1-2)Post to Discussion Board (slide 3 and slide 8)Begin working on individualized ePortfolioJournal entry (page/slide 28)to be uploaded in ePortfolioMake an appointment with the ODU ePortfolio team if you do not already have an ePortfolio set up in WordPress or WIX |
| 2 | Principles of Social Sciences and CybersecurityDiversity and Cybersecurity | Mountrouidou et al. (2019). Securing the human: A review of literature on broadening diversity in cybersecurity educationNational Academies Press. (2019). Integrating Social and Behavioral Research to Enhance Security in Cyberspace Post to Discussion Board (page/slide 14)Journal entry #2 (slide 16) – upload to ePortfolio |
| 3 | Strategies to Study Cybersecurity through an Interdisciplinary Social Sciences LensePortfolio LINK IS DUE Sunday, 28 Jan before 11:59 pm [End of third week] | Bhattacherjee (2012) (ch. 3)No Discussion BoardJournal #3 (page/slide 12) – upload to ePortfolio |
| 4 | Cybersecurity and Human Factors | Bhattacherjee (2012) (ch. 4)Back & LaPrade (2019). The future of cybercrime prevention strategies: Human factors and a holistic approach to cyber intelligencePost to Discussion Board (page/slide 14)Journal #4 (page/slide 22) upload to ePortfolio |
| 5 | Applying Psychological Principles of Cyber Offending, Victimization, and Professionals Article 1 review is due Sunday, 11 Feb before 11:59 pm [End of 5th Week] | Whitty (2018). Do You Love Me? Psychological Characteristics of Romance Scam Victims (liebertpub.com)Post to Discussion Board (page/slide 13)Journal #5 (page/slide 4) upload to ePortfolio |
| 6 | Psychology Research, Human Factors, and Cybersecurity | Nobles, (2018). Botching Human Factors in Cybersecurity in Business Organizations.Post to Discussion Board (page/slide 15)Journal #6 (page/slide 22) upload to ePortfolio |
| 7 | Cybersecurity and the Social Dimensions of Data ScienceQUIZ #1 is released – due by Sunday, 25 Feb before 11:59 pm | Wilner, A. (2018). Cybersecurity and its discontents: Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital misinformation.No post to Discussion Board Journal #7 (page/slide 20) upload to ePortfolio |
| 8 | Social dynamics, social structures, and cybersecurityTEST #1 is released – Due by Sunday, 3 Mar before 11:59 pm | Debb et al. (2020). A reverse digital divide: Comparing information security behavior of Generation Y and Generation Z adultsPayne, May, & Hadzhidimova (2012). America’s most wanted criminals: Comparing cybercriminals and traditional criminalsNo post to Discussion Board Journal #8 (page/slide 27) upload to ePortfolio |
| 9 | SPRING BREAK | MARCH 4 – 9 – Happy Spring Break! |
| 10 | Culture, Social Media and Cybersecurity | Jethwani et al. (2017). I can actually be a cyber sleuth: Engaging adolescent girls in cybersecurityPost to Discussion Board (page/slide 20)Journal #9 (page/slide 38) upload to ePortfolio |
| 11 | Social CybersecurityArticle 2 review is due Sunday, 24th Mar before 11:59 pm | Beskow & Karley, (2019). Social Cybersecurity.Post to Discussion Board (slide 21)Journal #10 (page/slide 6) upload to ePortfolioJournal #11 (page/slide 32) upload to ePortfolio |
| 12 | The Economics of Cybersecurity | Moore, T. (2010). The economics of cybersecurity: Principles and policy optionsPost to Discussion Board (page/slide 8)Journal #12 (page/slide 19) upload to ePortfolioJournal #13 (page/slide 28) upload to ePortfolio |
| 13 | Conceptualizing cybersecurity as a crime – Part 1CAREER paper is due by 11:59 on Sunday, 7 Apr | Payne & Hadzhimova (2018). Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice Programs in the United States: Exploring the Intersections. Payne & Hadzhimova (2020). Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Trends in Cybercrime Research: An ExaminationNo post to Discussion BoardJournal #14 (page/slide 7) upload to ePortfolio |
| 14 | Conceptualizing cyber behaviors as crime – Part 2 | Payne (2019). White-Collar Cybercrime: White-Collar Crime, Cybercrime, or Both?Post to Discussion Board (page/slide 33)No Journal entry Upload Career paper to Assignment and ePortfolio |
| 15 | Studying and Addressing Cyber Harm through a Criminological and Political FrameworkQUIZ #2 is released – due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, 21 AprAll artifacts uploaded to Final ePortfolio due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, 21 Apr | Finnemore & Hollis, (2018). Constructing Norms for Global Cybersecurity Post to Discussion Board (page/slide 19)Journal #15 (page/slide 28) upload to ePortfolioePortfolio is graded by instructorAll Article reviews, Journal entries, and Career paper uploaded by end of Week 15 (Sun, April 21, 2024 before 11:59pm) |
| 16 | Final Exam | Watch for Announcements- Final exam released April 24 and closes by 11:59 pm on April 28, 2024 |