1. On completion of this module you will be able produce a literature review that demonstrates knowledge regarding the significance of transnational organised crime and its relationship to the global criminal justice system and identifies a gap in that body of knowledge around one area of transnational organised crime and justice.
Enquiry; Application; Communication; analysis

2. On completion of this module you will be able to identify research that could address that gap in the body of knowledge and design a research proposal with a carefully worded research question and aims and objectives of the research.
Application; communication; Knowledge and understanding

3. On completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate capacity to select a suitable research strategy and research method to study the chosen topic and anticipate how the method will address the research question
Application; Enquiry; Reflection

4. On completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ethical guidelines, anticipate ethical risks likely to arise as part of research proposal and anticipate how you will manage those ethical risks
Enquiry; Application

The research proposal should:

• contain a thorough review of the literature,
• identify a gap in research literature/knowledge
• identify a research problem
• formulate a research question, aims and objectives and propose a strategy to research the problem
• identify which level of ethical approval is required for proposed research

3000 words
The research proposal meets all four learning outcomes

Using case studies, this module seeks to develop students’ ability to understand some of the key issues involved in researching transnational organised crime which is a highly sensitive, controversial and continually evolving subject.

It provides a comparative and cross-cultural analysis of the relationship between transnational organised crime and the criminal justice, law enforcement and security systems which operate at the global level.

It will look at a number of relevant historical and contemporary in-depth case studies of organised criminal groups such as the Italian, Russian and Columbian 'mafias'; the Chinese triads and Japanese yakuza; and the various groups which together constitute organised crime in the USA.

Counterbalancing and interconnecting with this will be an examination and analysis of the growth, development and effectiveness of transnational law and law enforcement systems in relation to the problem of dealing with transnational crime as well as the difficulties of sustaining international cooperation between national legal, political and law enforcement bodies.

The context for this will be the emergence of a new world order after the break-up of the Soviet Union, the advent of newly industrialising countries in the developing world, the establishment of a new international division of labour and the globalisation of economies, polities and cultures. The latter will provide a focus for analysing the key trends and developments which have underpinned the emergence of transnational organised crime historically and for developing a critical understanding of the comparative geography and statistical significance of transnational crime through the examination of official data sources.

Through close engagement with case studies, students will be supported to develop a realistic and feasible assessment of what and how they can research a specific topic relating to transnational organised crime and/or law enforcement responses. They will be encouraged to select appropriate research methods for their proposed study in order to ethically study the topic.

This module will be based on flexible learning materials delivered using the Blackboard virtual learning environment and selected readings provided in:
(a) a limited number of course texts
(b) reading packs of selected articles and book chapters and
(c) e-books, e-journal articles and online news coverage.

The Blackboard environment will provide a context for:
- Distance learning comprising pre-recorded e-lectures on each of the topics
- Tutors to highlight key issues, problems and debates for discussion
- Learners to undertake a range of structured activities which will involve, for example, problem-solving, literature searching, engagement with group discussions, and scenarios.
- Tutors to provide guidance and advice.
- Learners to access guidance on on-line resources available via the web and the university's e-resources pages.

The readings will provide:
- An essential knowledge base for the module which will be available to all learners.
- A resource for coursework and all assessed assignments.
- A point of departure for the structured activities set for learners. Learners will be expected to engage fully and critically with the resources and activities that are provided

Tutors will arrange to be online once a week for 13-weeks at a designated UK time for virtual discussion with students and to answer questions relating to the weekly topic. This session will be recorded and uploaded for students to review.

Tutors will give online academic support and guidance to learners throughout the lifetime of the module and will respond on a timely basis.

Students will engage in independent study; this will include:
Complete required readings, relevant to each week’s topic. Doing these readings will give students a deeper understanding of each of the topics under discussion
Listen to a series of pre-recorded weekly e-podcast materials that cover key issues on the topic and a session on assessment guidance
Preparing for the taught sessions by doing the key reading(s)

Aas, K. (2007) Globalization and Crime. London. Sage

Galeottie, Mark (ed.) (2007) Global Crime Today. London. Routledge

Madsen, F. (2009) Transnational Organized Crime. London. Routledge

Wright, A. (2006) Organised Crime. Willan Publishing

Bryman, A., (2012) Social Research Methods. Oxford. Oxford University Press

A networked computer capable of accessing the internet and running applications such as Blackboard and Adobe Acrobat.

A Word Processor compatible with Microsoft Word.

The Blackboard VLE will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook

None