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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL/LAW 326 H"
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 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: at least one 200-level course in Economics, International Affairs or Business
OFFICE HOURS: Friday mornings. Please email me to set up a Teams 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

 

READINGS:
There is no set textbook for this course. Students will receive readings for every class on Moodle.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Final Exam Essay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings25%
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 class readings and further bibliographical research. They will also present their project and findings to the rest of the class with a 10-15 minute presentation during Week 14.30%
Class participation Attendance (in person or remote) is mandatory unless there are serious health-related reasons. Participation is graded based on the student's comments, questions, active note-taking and general active engagement in class discussions and activities.15%
Take-home assignment 1A short-essay based assignment which tests that you can apply the material and concepts discussed in the class so far to real-life scenarios and debates. Detailed guidelines will be posted on Moodle.15%
Take-home assignment 2A short-essay based assignment which tests that you can apply the material and concepts discussed in the class so far to real-life scenarios and debates. Detailed guidelines will be posted on Moodle.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 t
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:
ATTENDANCE AND EXAMS POLICY

Attendance is mandatory for this class and you are expected to not miss any classes. If you have to miss a class for health reasons, I expect you to email me in advance so I can record the class for you. You should then watch the video and do all related activities and assignments as soon as possible. For non-health reasons, I will accept a maximum of 2 absences after which I will deduct 2% 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 16 Dec 2022.

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

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

Session

Session Focus

Reading and other assignments

NOTE: All readings are to be done

BEFORE THE SUBSEQUENT CLASS.

They are all available on Moodle

WK 1 A

5 Sept

Introduction to the course

· Albanese, J. S. (2015). Organized crime : from the mob to transnational organized crime (7th ed.). Routledge. Chapter 1

WK 1 B

7 Sept

Defining and Measuring Transnational Organized Crime

· United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000) (esp p5-12)

· Global Initiative (2020) The Promise of Palermo

WK 2 A

12 Sept

Liquid crime: Globalization and its deviances

· Shapiro, D. M. (2021). The gig mafia : How small networks and high-speed digital funds transfers have changed the face of organized crime. Business Expert Press. Chapter 2

WK 2 B

14 Sept

Practices and theories of transnational organized crime

· Global Initiative: Video on Criminal Contagion: How Mafias, Gangsters and Scammers profit from a Pandemic

WK 3 A

19 Sept

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

· Hobbs and Antonopoulos (2014) How to Research Organized Crime In Paoli, L. (Ed.). (2014). The oxford handbook of organized crime. Oxford University Press.

WK 3 B

21 Sept

Money laundering cont’d

· Pol, Ronald F. (2020) Anti-money laundering: The world's least effective policy experiment? Together, we can fix it, Policy Design and Practice, 3:1, 73-94

WK 4 A

26 Sept

Cybercrimes

· Europol (2021), Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA)

WK 4 B

28 Sept

Cont’d

 

· Do graded assignment 1 for Monday

 

 

WK 5 A

 

3 Oct

Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes

 

Submit graded assignment 1

· Watch counterfeiting documentary (link on Moodle)

 

WK 5 B

 

5 Oct

Counterfeits cont’d

· Antonopoulos, G. A. et al (2019). The nature and dynamics of the counterfeiting business In Fake goods, real money: The counterfeiting business and its financial management. Polity.

WK 6 A

 

10 Oct

Trafficking in art and antiquities cont'd

· ATHAR (2019) Facebook's black market in antiquities

 

WK 6 B

 

12 Oct

Cont'd

· Polner, M. (2019) Preventing Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Objects: A Supply Chain Perspective. In Hufnagel, S., & Chappell, D. The Palgrave Handbook on Art Crime.

WK 7 A

17 Oct

Human smuggling

 

· Work on outline for Research Project (Guidelines on Moodle)

WK 7 B

 

19 Oct

Trafficking in persons

Research project outlines due !!!!

· Read Executive Summary UNODC Global Trafficking in Persons Report 2020

WK 8 A

 

24 Oct

 

Trafficking cont’d

· Mehlman-Orozco, K. (June 01, 2020). Projected heroes and self-perceived manipulators: understanding the duplicitous identities of human traffickers. Trends in Organized Crime, 23, 2, 95-114.

WK 8 B

26 Oct

Organ trafficking

· Kleemans (2014) Theoretical Perspectives on Organized Crime

WK 9 A

31 Oct

Cocaine trafficking: global routes and methods

· Global Initiative (2021) The Cocaine Pipeline to Europe

WK 9 B

2 Nov

Heroin and opiates

 

· Do graded assignment 2 for Monday

· Watch documentary on Moodle

WK 10 A

7 Nov

Submit graded assignment 2

Drugs cont’d

· Guardian (2019) How the heroin trade explains the UK/US failure in Afghanistan

 

WK 10 B

9 Nov

Synthetic drugs markets

· UNODC World Drug Report Booklet 3

WK 11 A

14 Nov

Cannabis

· Watch waste trafficking documentaries. (Links on Moodle)

WK 11 B

16 Nov

Environmental Crimes:

The illegal waste trade

· UNODC (2020) World Wildlife Crime report

WK 12 A

21 Nov

Wildlife crimes

· Wyatt, T., van, U. D., & Nurse, A. (May 11, 2020). Differentiating criminal networks in the illegal wildlife trade: organized, corporate and disorganized crime. Trends in Organized Crime, 23, 4, 350-366.

WK 12 B

23 Nov

Crime, insurgency and state weakness

· Finish research papers

WK 13 A

28 Nov

 

Fighting global crime: State of the art and best practice

Final research projects due

· Global Initiative (2019). Fragmented But Far-Reaching. The UN System’s mandate and response to organized crime

WK 13 B

30 Nov

Cont’d

· Global Initiative (2020). Reforming the response. What does Black Lives Matter tell us about tackling organized crime?

WK 14 A

5 Dec

Honors Student presentations

 

WK 14 B

7 Dec

Honors Student presentations

 

FINAL EXAM