Course: Technical and Legal Responses to Internet Hate Crimes

Description

This course brings together the technical expertise of Internet specialists at HPI, Potsdam, and the legal insights of public prosecutors at Berlin Staatsanwaltschaft (StA) to provide a comprehensive understanding of Internet hate crimes. Students will learn about the technological underpinnings of the Internet, the nature of Internet hate crimes, and the legal frameworks in place to combat these issues in Germany.

 

Course Objectives

• To analyze the legal definitions and frameworks surrounding Internet crimes in Germany.
• To understand the technical aspects of the Internet and how they relate to hate crimes.
• To explore the role of technology in detecting and preventing Internet crimes.
• To evaluate case studies and real-world examples from technical and legal perspectives.

 

Teaching and learning methods

The weekly lectures will serve as the primary means of conveying the course content. These lectures will be complemented by invited guest speakers who will share their professional experiences with the students. This will provide students with a deeper understanding of the topic. Students will get the opportunity to enhance their soft skills by presenting intermittently throughout the course duration. Regular assignments will allow the students to reinforce the lecture material by performing hands-on tasks, reviewing existing literature, and critically expressing opinions on debated topics on Internet hate crimes. 

 

Learning outcomes

The course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the broader landscape of Internet hate crimes, encompassing both legal and technical aspects. They will be equipped to critically analyze contemporary developments in this rapidly evolving field and comprehend the ongoing struggle between regulatory bodies and tech giants. Additionally, students will gain insights into how the Berlin Staatsanwaltschaft addresses Internet hate crime. Furthermore, they will explore the psychological impact of hate speech on individuals, their personal and professional lives, and democratic institutions as a whole.

 

(Recommended) Requirements

The delivery of the lectures will be partly in German and partly in English. As such, the students are expected to have basic knowledge of the German and English languages. They are expected to have a basic understanding of how the Internet works. No previous knowledge of legal underpinnings is expected.

 

Course Outline and Literature

A detailed course outline will be made available on Moodle.
 

• Legal and Technical Foundations of Internet (Hate) Crime.
• Overview of Central Office on Hate Crime (Zentralstelle Hasskriminalität der StA.)
• Impact of Internet (Hate) Crime on Individuals and Democratic Institutions.
• Technical and Legal Responses to Internet (Hate) Crime.
• Ethical and Social Considerations on Internet (Hate) Crime.

Course materials will be drawn from books, contemporary events, state-of-the-art publications, and external lectures by topic experts.

 

Grading Scheme

• Essay: 30%
• Assignments: 40%
• Quizzes: 30%