Cybersecurity Through Popular Culture: Fact vs. Fiction

Understanding the difference between fact and fiction in cybersecurity and cyberespionage is critical in today’s digital world. Media portrayals often exaggerate or simplify the realities of hacking and cybercrime, creating misconceptions that leave individuals and organizations vulnerable.

This 3-week intensive course explores how media shapes public perceptions of hacking, cybercrime, and cybersecurity. Participants will analyze movies, TV shows, and speculative fiction to uncover the gap between media portrayals and real-world digital security, gaining practical skills to navigate today’s online landscape. Designed for a general audience, the course is perfect for those curious about cybersecurity, media, or personal digital safety.

Registration closes on September 8th.

Athugið námskeiðið er kennt á ensku.

By the end of the course, participants will:

-Critique portrayals of hacking and cybersecurity in media.

-Understand foundational principles of cybersecurity and their real-world applications.

-Develop strategies to mitigate common cyber threats.

-Reflect on how media influences public perceptions of cybersecurity and cyberespionage.

-Apply critical thinking to distinguish between myths and realities in digital security narratives.

The course is offered in a hybrid format. Participants can attend in person or via Zoom, with all sessions recorded for later viewing. Interactive components, including discussions and activities, are accessible both in person and remotely. Assignments will be submitted and reviewed through an online platform.

Qualification Criteria:

-Gain foundational knowledge of cybersecurity concepts.

-Critically analyze media depictions of hacking and cybercrime.

-Develop practical strategies to enhance personal online security.

Materials:

-Excerpts from iconic films, videos, and readings in this field.

-Lecture slides, supplementary readings, and curated case studies.

-Online resources for further exploration.

Teaching Approach:

-Interactive lectures integrating media analysis and real-world cybersecurity scenarios.

-Group activities and discussions encouraging participant interaction.

-Practical assignments tailored to real-world applications.

Open to all learners. No prior knowledge of cybersecurity or technology is required. The course is suitable for beginners and accessible to informal observers.

Course Start: September 15th

Duration: 3 weeks

Frequency: Three sessions per week, 2 hours per session.

-Week 1: September 15th, September 16th, and September 17th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

-Week 2: September 22nd, September 23rd, and September 24th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

-Week 3: September 29th, September 30th, and October 1st, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Total Hours: Approximately 6–8 hours weekly, including lectures, activities, and assignments.

Dr. Wanda Gregory teaches courses in UI/UX design, game design, AI, AI ethics, and cybersecurity, with a focus on human factors and psychology. She is especially passionate about exploring cybersecurity through popular culture, highlighting its societal and psychological impacts. Her course inspired by the Netflix series Black Mirror bridges technical concepts with cultural narratives, showing how fiction can illuminate real-world cybersecurity challenges. With a background in the game industry, including work on Dungeons & Dragons, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Hasbro Inc., and Xbox, Dr. Gregory combines cultural insight with technical expertise. Based in Seattle, Washington, she is a two-time Fulbright award recipient and teaches at the University of Washington and part time at Reykjavik University.

The course fee is 39.000 ISK.