Using case studies, the aim of this module is to develop students’ abilities to understand key issues involved in transnational organised crime, which is a complex, 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 that operate at national and global levels.

During the module, a number of relevant historical and contemporary organised criminal groups will be considered, such as the Italian, Russian and Colombian ‘mafias’; the Chinese triads and Japanese yakuza; and the various groups that together constitute organised crime in the US. Counterbalancing and interconnecting with this is an examination of the development and effectiveness of transnational law, law enforcement systems, as well as the difficulties of sustaining co-operation between national legal, political, and law enforcement bodies.

Through close engagement with case studies as well as broader trajectories in the complex field of organised crime, students will be supported to focus on a relevant topic, in order to analyse the nature, organisation, and governance of transnational organised crime.

The 3000-word essay will require students to focus on a transnational organised crime topic of their choice, which may or may not have been covered during the module. Students will develop a critical analysis of their topic, which will include: how significant a problem it is perceived to be in contemporary settings; key debates concerning its development, dynamics, activities and impacts; as well as existing limitations with enforcement and regulatory frameworks. Finally, students will consider potential ways forward in tackling their chosen type of organised crime. Students will therefore be critically discussing the nature, organisation, and governance of a relevant and contemporary transnational organised crime issue. This assessment covers Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4.

Students should also write a total of four response papers, approximately 250 words each, on topics related to the weekly module content (details to be provided in weekly sessions). The response papers cover Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.

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 journal articles, book chapters, reports, and online news coverage.

The Blackboard environment will provide a context for:

Blended learning comprising pre-recorded e-lectures on each of the topics.
Tutors to highlight key issues, problems and debates for discussion.
Students 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.
Students to access guidance on online resources available via the internet and the university’s e-resources pages.

The readings will provide:

An essential knowledge base which will be available to all students.
A resource for coursework and all assessed assignments.
A point of departure for the structured activities set for students. Students 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 available for students to view.

Tutors will give online academic support and guidance to students throughout the module, and will respond on a timely basis.

Students will engage in independent study outside of the lectures/discussions – this will include:
Complete required readings that are relevant to each week’s topic. These readings will give students a deeper understanding of each topic under discussion.
Listen to a series of pre-recorded lectures that cover key issues on the topic, and a session on assignment guidance.
Preparing for taught sessions by completing the key reading(s).

1. Explain the fundamental dynamics of transnational organised crime.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate how organised crime is rooted within illicit and licit structures.

Application

3. Critique the complex, incomplete, and contradictory aspects of knowledge regarding the significance of transnational organised crime and its relationship to criminal justice systems.

Analysis

4. Assess existing and potential new ways in which to research and tackle organised crime.

Reflection

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

A Word Processor compatible with Microsoft Word.

The Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Albanese, J.S., Reichel, P.L. (eds.) (2013) Transnational Organized Crime – An Overview from Six Continents. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Galeotti, M. (ed.) (2005) Global Crime Today – The Changing Face of Organised Crime. Abingdon: Routledge.

Madsen, F. (2009) Transnational Organized Crime. Abingdon: Routledge.

Paoli, L. (ed.) (2014) The Oxford Handbook of Organized Crime. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Roth, M.P. (2010) Global Organized Crime. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.