The aim of the module is to introduce you to relevant issues within the realm of globalisation, terrorism and transnational crime: eg. terrorism, environmental crime, piracy, human trafficking, criminal networks and cybercrime. It will enable you to develop a detailed comprehension of the complexity of these criminogenic experiences.
In the first part of the course, the module focuses on terrorism. It will be introducing students to a range of complex historical, political and social factors that have contributed to the articulation of terrorist practices. Students will have a chance to engage in the understanding of the reasons why certain practices emerge, the interaction between terrorist discourses and the media and how international law enforcement bodies work and interact.
The second part of the module will present a critical overview of different organised and transnational crimes. Students will be offered a chance to explore the articulation, social control and impact of organised criminal behaviour at an international level. Students will understand the links between terrorist practices and other organised crime (eg. cybercrime or trafficking of humans).
On completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Understand the complexity of policing, controlling and understanding crime at global level;
2. Demonstrate a critical and informed understanding of the origins, nature and development of terrorism;
3. Familiarise themselves with different types of transnational crime;
4. Comprehend the extent and impact of international crime;
5. Demonstrate a capacity for selection of appropriate materials for the construction of academic arguments and engage with material at a critical level.
First block: State crime and Terrorism
- Globalisation and Crime: defining the concept of globalisation and assessing how it favours the widespread and sophistication of criminal practices.
- Introduction to Comparative Criminology: exploring the elements that should be considered in order to develop a better understanding of crime at an international level; investigating the merits of both comparative analysis and longitudinal studies.
- State Crime: discussing who can/should be held responsible of criminal behaviour when crime is somehow associated to the State.
- Terrorism: introducing its definition and exploring its historical origins; critically investigating religious and political terrorism; exploring the relationship between terrorism and media (eg. social networks, videos, recruitment of young people, etc.).
The first block functions as a background for the second block.
Second block: cybercrime and transnational crime
- Cybercrime: examining the emergence and extend of cybercrime; exploring the challenges involved in tackling this problem; discussing the representation of hackers (eg. Anonymous).
- Green criminology: exploring what constitutes green crimes and their victims; introducing different environmental disasters and how states dealt with them.
- Italian Mafia and criminal networks: introducing different Italian criminal networks; discussing how they operate and affect both politics and the environment.
- Human Trafficking and sex tourism: assessing the relationship between gender and globalisation; exploring the problems involved with investigating these types of criminal practices; discussing the issues of slavery and commodification of sex.
- Pornography: critically examining and deconstructing the definition of pornography; considering and contextualising different materials; exploring the challenges that this
- Maritime piracy: exploring a wide range of theoretical approaches to piracy; investigating the modus operandi of pirates; discussing the links between maritime piracy and terrorist practices.
A combination of structured presentations (formal lectures), reading prior to class, small groups presentations and symposium style lessons have been selected for this module.
- Structured presentations: this format will enable students to familiarise themselves with relevant theories and approaches; this will also allow students to have a structure and point of reference for their independent study.
- Symposium: this format will encourage students to interact with both lecturer and topic; students can ask questions or offer their insights. This should stimulate discussions and reflection.
- Reading prior to class: students will have a chance to have some background information prior to attending the class; this should enable them to follow the class more easily.
- Small group presentations: these should encourage students to engage critically with the topic; students can choose the presentation topic according to their research interests.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Seminar/Workshops | 66 |
Guided independent study | 234 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
These assessment strategies have been designed to encourage students to critically explore various lines of research in international crime. The aim is to allow students to develop both theoretical and research skills.
Essay: it allows students to analyse and critically review the materials presented in class; it develops students' academic writing skills; it is a platform for students to provide their informed views on the subject;
Poster: it allows students to think about the topic in a structured and concise manner; it develops students' presentation skills and simplification processes (making the topic accessible to a wide audience).
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Understand the complexity of policing, controlling and understanding crime at global level; | Formative: debate and presentation Summative: poster and essay |
Demonstrate a critical and informed understanding of the origins, nature and development of terrorism | Formative: debate and presentation Summative: poster and essay |
Familiarise themselves with different types of international crime | Formative: debate and presentation Summative: poster and essay |
Comprehend the extent and impact of international crimes | Formative: debate and presentation Summative: poster and essay |
Demonstrate a capacity for selection of appropriate materials for the construction of academic arguments and engage with material at a critical level. | Formative: debate and presentation Summative: poster and essay |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
CWK | Essay | 65 |
CWK | Poster Presentation | 35 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Albanese, J. (2014) Transational Organized Crime. London: Sage
Martin, A. (2015) Understanding Terrorism. London: Sage
Von Lampe, K. (2015) Organised Crime. London Sage
Alexander, Y. (ed) (2002). Combating Terrorism. University of Michigan Press
Anderson, M. (1996) Policing the European Union. London: Clarendon
Barak, G. (2000) Crime and Crime Control: A Global View. London: Greenwood Press
Bailey, D. (1991) Forces of Order: Policing in Modern Japan. Berkley: University of California Press
Berdal, M. (2002) Transnational Organized Crime and International Security: Business as Usual? Lynne Rienner
Bergalli, R. and Sumner, C. (1997) Social Control and Political Order. London Sage
Booth, K. & Dunne, T. (eds) (2002). Worlds in Collision: Terror and the Future of Global Order. MacMillan
Castells, M. (1997) The End of the Millennium, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture. Vol. III. Oxford, UK: Blackwell
Dershowitz, A,M. (2002). Why Terrorism Works: Understanding the Threat, Responding to the Challenge. Yale University Press
Jewkes, Y. and Yar, M. (2009) handbook of Internet Crime. Collum: Willan
Lee, M. (2007) Human Trafficking. Collum: Willan
Passas, N. (1999) Transnational Crime. Aldershot: Ashgate
Prunckun, Henry W., Jr. (1995) Shadow of Death: An Analytical Bibliography on Political Violence, Terrorism, and Low-Intensity Conflict. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press
Reich, W (ed) (1998). Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind. Washington, D.C: Woodwrow Wilson Center Press
Rowland, D. et al. (2012) Information Technology Law. London: Routledge
Savona, E. (2014) Criminal Markets and Mafia Proceeds. Publisher Taylor and Francis
Shelley, L. (2010) Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective. Publisher Cambridge University Press
Sheptycki, J. and Wardak, A. (2004) Transnational and Comparative Criminology. London: Cavendish
Troyer, R. et al. (1989) Social Control in the Peoples Republic of China. London: Prager
Van Dijk, J. et al. (1990) Experiences of Crime across the World. Boston: Kluwer
Wallerstein, I. (1990) ‘Culture as the ideological battleground of the modern worlds-system'. Theory, Culture & Society, Vol. 7, No. 2, 31-55
Waltz, K. (1999) ‘Globalization and Governance'. Political Science and Politics, Vol. 32, No.4,693-700
Wardak, A. (2004) Crime and Social Control in Saudi Arabia' in Transnational and Comparative Criminology. London: Cavendish