Conceptual Issues in Cyberspace

MIT3107/3207/M207

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Abstract

Module Purpose. This CMIT module can be taken for 15 or 20 credits, at level 3 or level M. It examines the role of the Internet in today's society, and discusses the problems the information society is bringing about.


Table of Contents

Preface
1. Education and Research
Higher Education
The Internet in Schools
2. The Virtual Marketplace
Trends in the Digital Economy
Evolution of E-commerce
Virtual Products and New Economies
iTunes and the Virtual Product
Web Advertising
Something for Nothing? Gift Economies
Problems arising from the Virtual Marketplace
Further reading
Discussion
3. The Information Society
Social theory and the Internet
Work in the Information Society
Equality and Human Rights
Singularity Theory and Inhumanism
Discussion
4. Legal Issues 1
Patents and the Digital World
Domain Name Piracy or Cybersquatting
Copyright Law
The Public Domain and Finite Copyright
Practical Considerations
Discussion
5. Legal Issues 2
The need for security
Cryptography
Computer Crime and Legislation
Content Regulation
Privacy and Data Protection
Further reading
6. Intelligence and Ubiquity
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Uses of AI on the Internet
Autonomous Agents, Crawlers and Bots
AI today and tomorrow
The Ubiquitous Computer
7. Cyberspace Philosophy
What is Cyberspace?
The Shape of Cyberspace
Knowledge and the Internet
Cyberspace and Responsibility
Is cyberspace really a space?
8. The Future of Cyberspace
The Internet as a Technological Revolution
Bibliography
Glossary of Terms
Index