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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 326H"
COURSE NAME: "Globalization and Crime HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30-2:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 60
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: at least one 200-level course in Economics, International Affairs or Business
OFFICE HOURS: 30 minutes before each class or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to debates surrounding the effects of globalization on the proliferation of crime across borders and the challenges of developing internationally effective policing and judicial mechanisms for combating this constantly mutating phenomenon. Areas of study include the trafficking of art and archaeology, fake fashion items, waste, narcotics, and arms, as well as the market in human beings for sex and organs, and the economic implications of criminal penetration in legal financial markets and the increasing connections between international crime groups and terrorism, the political and military influence of OCGs in failed states and the connections between criminal groups and various democratic governments.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course explores the ways in which organized criminal groups (OCGs) and activities are evolving as a result of globalization. It examines how the opening up of markets, transportation routes and communication technologies are facilitating ever more efficient and capillary illegal trades in goods and people. Areas of study include the trafficking of art and archaeology, fake fashion items, waste, narcotics, and arms, as well as the market in human beings for sex and organs. We examine the economic implications of growing criminal penetration in legal financial markets as well as the concerns for state security posed by the increasing connections between international crime groups and terrorism, the political and military influence of OCGs in failed states and the connections between criminal groups and various democratic governments. We will debate the challenges to fighting these phenomena and weigh up the  implications for international stability, democracy, national sovereignty  and the preservation of rights in attempts to develop global security responses.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

·         Outline the problems of defining and measuring transnational organized crime groups and activities

·         Outline the international agreements and strategies currently in place to fight TOC, and provide examples of effective mechanisms at   national and regional levels

·         Discuss the challenges and obstacles to developing more incisive measures to tackle global crime

·         Demonstrate detailed factual knowledge of the various criminal groups, networks and sectors examined in the course

·         Contextualize the criminal activities and markets within a firm knowledge of post-Cold War geopolitical developments

 

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Organised Crime and the Challenge to Democracy Allum, F. and Siebert R Routledge0415467276  
Defining and Defying Organised Crime Allum, F et al Routledge 1138874167  
Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organized Crime Allum, F and Gilmour, S eds Routledge 0415579791  
Transnational Organized CRime: Perspectives on Global Security Edwards A, and Gill, P Routledge 0415403391  
Traffick. The Illicit Movement of People and Things Bhattacharyya, G Pluto 0745320473  
Art and Crime Charney, N Greenwood 0313366357  
Policing Organized Crime Gottschalk, P CRC Press 1439810141   
Fraud, Corruption and Sport Brooks, G et al Palgrave0230299784  
Transnational Organized Crime: An Overview from Six Continents Albanese, J. and Reichel, P Sage 1452290075  
Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy Naim, M Arrow 0099484242  
Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook Roth, M ABC-CLIO 159884332X  
Illicit Flows and Criminal Things: States, Borders, and the Other Side of Globalization Willem van Schendel (Editor), Itty Abraham (Editor) Indiana University Press 025321811X  
Mafias on the Move: How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories Varese, F Princeton University Press 0691158010  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term exam Essay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings20%
Final Exam Essay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings30%
Oral presentation based on research project Students present the methodology and findings of their research paper (see below). 20 minute presentation using powerpoint.10%
Final Research Paper Students will develop a research paper on one of the problems/issues discussed in the course and will debate its dynamics, impacts and possible solutions, drawing from the recommended readings and further bibliographical research. Essays should explore in depth one aspect of the globalization of crime, looking at a single geographical area, a single criminal activity/market or a single criminal grouping/network. Alternatively, they can be a comparative study of two cases. They should prioritize analysis over description. Students will write a minimum of 3,000 words excluding the bibliography and will base their research on AT LEAST 5 scholarly sources. They will submit an outline 1 month before the deadline detailing their research question, data gathering methods, main points of their paper and sources. 25%
Class participation Attendance is mandatory. Participation is graded based on the student's comments, questions, active note-taking and general active engagement in class discussions and activities.15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performance demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Letter grades and corresponding percentages for this class

94 – 100 points = A

90 – 93.99 pts = A-

87 – 89.99 = B+

83 – 86.99 = B

80 – 82.99 = B-

77 – 79.99 = C+

70 – 76.99 = C

60 – 69.99 = D

59.99 – 0 = F

ATTENDANCE AND EXAMS POLICY

Attendance is mandatory for this class and you are expected to not miss any classes. If you do, for eaxmple for health reasons, I will accept a maximum of 3 absences after which I will deduct 3% of your final grade for each class missed.

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until 7 Dec 2017.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE


SCHEDULE


 

Session

Session Focus

Reading and other Assignments

WK1A

28 Aug

Introduction to the course

Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow, Chapter 2 (p. 12-37)
On MyJCU

WK 1B

30 Aug

Defining and Measuring Transnational Organized Crime

United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000) (esp p5-12)
ON MyJCU
http://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/UNTOC/Publications/TOC%20Convention/TOCebook-e.pdf

WK 2A

4 Sept

Liquid crime: Globalization and its deviances

Standing, A. (2011) Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Convention: A Reality Check  On MyJCU http://www.ipinst.org/2011/01/transnational-organized-crime-and-the-palermo-convention-a-reality-check

WK 2B

6 Sept

Practices of transnational organized crime

Chambliss, W.J. and Williams, E. (2011) in Allum, F. and Gilmour, S. “Transnational Organized Crime and Social Sciences Myths” in  Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organised Crime, Routledge, Chapter 3, p. 52-64
On MyJCU

WK3A

11 Sept

Global Match Fixing

Guest Lecture: Prof Vanda Wilcox


WK3B

13 Sept

CLASS CANCELLED: MAKE-UP CLASS 4 OCT 8-7.30PM

Sciarrone, R., & Storti, L. (January 01, 2014). The territorial expansion of mafia-type organized crime. The case of the Italian mafia in Germany. Crime Law and Social Change, 61, 1, 37-60. On MyJCU

 

WK4A

18 Sept

Money laundering, the ‘clean’ economy and ‘gray’ economies

Europol Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (2013)
https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/eu-serious-and-organised-crime-threat-assessment-socta

WK 4B

20 Sept

Cybercrimes

Lavorgna, A. (2014). Internet-mediated drug trafficking: towards a better understanding of new criminal dynamics. Trends In Organized Crime, 17(4), 250-270. On MyJCU

WK4C

22 Sept

FRIDAY

MAKE-UP DAY FOR 1 NOV Cybercrimes cont’d

 

Kshetri, Nir B. (2013). Cybercrimes in the Former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe: Current Status and Key Drivers. On MyJCU

WK5A

25 Sept

Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes

Watch counterfeiting documentary (link on MyJCU)

WK 5B

27 Sept

Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes

Adler, Christine, Chappell, Duncan, & Polk, Kenneth. (2009). Perspectives on the organisation and control of the illicit traffic in antiquities in South East Asia. Research Online.

WK6A

2 Oct

Trafficking in art and antiquities


WK6B

4 Oct


Trafficking in art and antiquities cont'd

Keefe, P. R. (January 01, 2009). Snakeheads and Smuggling: The Dynamics of Illegal Chinese Immigration. World Policy Journal, 26, 1, 33-44.
On MyJCU

WK 6C

4 Oct

6-7.30pm

MANDATORY MAKE-UP LECTURE

MAFIAS IN ROME


WK 7A

9 Oct

Human smuggling

 Shelley, Louise (2014) Human Trafficking and Smuggling into Europe On My JCU

http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/human-smuggling-and-trafficking-europe-comparative-perspective

WK 7B

11 Oct

Mid-term exam


WK 8A

16 Oct

Trading in human beings – the trafficking business

Reading TBA

WK8B

18 Oct

Cocaine trafficking: new routes and methods
 

Stephen Ellis, “West Africa's International Drug Trade,” African Affairs, 108(431), 2009: 171-196.
On MyJCU

WK 9A

23 Oct

Heroin and opiates

Eisler, David (2012) “Afghanistan’s Opium Economy: Incentives, Insurgency, and International Demand”, Journal of International Affairs
READ ONLINE
http://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/online-articles/afghanistans-opium-economy/

WK 9B

25 Oct

Cannabis and synthetic drug trafficking


WK 10A

30 Oct

The illicit waste trade

“Computers pile up in Ghana dump” BBC 5 August 2008
READ ONLINE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7543489.stm

WK10B

1 Nov

NO CLASS: ITALIAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY

 

WK11A

6 Nov

Environmental crimes Cont’d

Jonny Steinberg “The illicit abalone trade in South Africa”

ISS Paper 105 • April 2005, http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/papers/105/Paper105.htm
ON MyJCU

WK11B

8 Nov

Weak and failed states and transnational crime

KINNIBURGH, C. (2014). Beyond "Conflict Minerals". Dissent (00123846), 61(2), 61-68.

ON MyJCU

WK12A

13 Nov

Transnational  crime and terrorism

Asal, V., Milward, H., & Schoon, E. (2015). When terrorists go bad: Analyzing terrorist organizations’ involvement in drug smuggling. International Studies Quarterly, 59(1), 112-123. doi:10.1111/isqu.12162 ON MyJCU

OR

European Parliament (2012) : “Europe’s Crime-Terror Nexus: Links between terrorist and organised crime groups in the European Union P8-40 ON MyJCU

WK12B

15 Nov

International governance and its challenges

Council on Foreign Relations (2013) “The Global Regime for Transnational Crime”

READ ONLINE

http://www.cfr.org/transnational-crime/global-regime-transnational-crime/p28656  

WK13A

20 Nov

Fighting global crime: State of the art and best practice


WK 13B

22 Nov

Student Presentations


WK 14A
27 Nov

Student Presentations


WK 14B

29 Nov

Student Presentations
Conclusions and review