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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL/LAW 325 H"
COURSE NAME: "Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2022
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Silvia Scarpa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces students to the hidden phenomena of contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking, relying on international legal definitions - including among others those of slavery, practices similar to slavery, forced labour, the worst forms of child labour and human trafficking - to better understand and assess the international action against these forms of exploitation. A brief comparison between slavery of the past and its contemporary manifestations, as well as an analysis of relevant contemporary forms of exploitation - including chattel slavery and religious slavery, debt bondage, the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and exploitation in some global supply chains - follows. The differences between human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants emerging from the imperfect international legal architecture founded on the two Protocols on Trafficking in Persons, in particular Women and Children and the Smuggling of Migrants annexed to the 2000 Convention against Transnational Organized Crime are also spelled out. Finally, the course focuses on understanding what ought to be done to fight against contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course compares slavery of the past with contemporary exploitative practices and it discusses the characteristics of modern forms of slavery. It subsequently analyzes various forms of exploitation by comparing legal and sociological definitions existing in this field – including in particular, the ones of slavery, practices similar to slavery, forced labour, the worst forms of child labour and human trafficking - and commenting on the inconsistent application of these concepts by global governance actors. Forms of exploitation - such as chattel slavery, religious slavery, the bonded labor/debt bondage practice, forced prostitution and sexual exploitation, including their link with sex tourism, early and forced marriages, the exploitation of child soldiers, child labour and forced labor - are studied. The course subsequently examines trafficking in human beings, focusing on its spreading in the world, the unreliability of estimates and the lack of data, and the most common forms of exploitation connected with it, including sexual and labor exploitation, the involvement of children in armed conflicts, illegal adoptions and trafficking for the removal of organs. The lack of an internationally agreed definition of human trafficking until the adoption in 2000 of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children will be discussed and the differences between this phenomenon and the smuggling of migrants, which is defined by the United Nations Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air will be studied. Specific attention will be dedicated to understanding what could be done to fight against contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking.
Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to define the various contemporary practices and processes studied, being aware of the inconsistent use of definitions by global governance actors. They will have an understanding of the spreading in the world of contemporary forms of slavery and of human trafficking, of their main causes and consequences, and of short and long-term strategies needed to eradicate them. They also will be able to assess the major successes and failures in establishing a framework in which these phenomena could be eradicated, and they will have conducted group work and research on a specific topic of their choice for the purpose of drafting an advocacy project.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Ending Slavery: How we Free Today's Slaves | Kevin Bales | University of California Press | 9780520254701 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Essay | 1,500 words minimum | 80% |
| Attendance and class participation | | 20% |
-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 course
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 performances 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:
Students are expected to attend Honors’ meetings regularly, to read assigned reading materials before classes and to contribute to class discussions.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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TBA
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