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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 326"
COURSE NAME: "Globalization and Crime"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Clough Marinaro Isabella
EMAIL: [email protected] or [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 13:30-14:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: at least one 200-level course in Economics, International Affairs or Business
OFFICE HOURS:
1 hour before class or by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to introduce 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. It aims to engage students in discussions concerning the difficulties of defining and measuring fluid and covert activities, and seeks to highlight the complex interconnections between criminal earnings and the legal economy, and between criminal interests and state and non-state actors. Through in-depth exploration of various sectors in which transnational crime is increasingly active, from art trafficking to the illegal waste trade, students are encouraged to move beyond simplistic dichotomies of ‘legal’ vs ‘illegal’, ‘right’ vs ‘wrong’ and to address the many ways in which non-criminal actors participate in these processes and markets.
The course is intended for students of International Affairs and should also appeal to Business, Economics and Art History students.
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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.
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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
Students will be provided with a reader containing journal articles and chapters from the following books.
Allum, F. and Siebert, R. (eds) (2008) Organised Crime and the Challenge to Democracy, Routledge
Allum, F. et al (eds) (2010) Defining and Defying Organized Crime, Routledge
Allum, F. and Gilmour, S. (2011) Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organised Crime, Routledge
Bhattacharyya, G. (2005) Traffick: The Illicit Movement of People and Things, Pluto
Charney, N. (ed) (2009) Art and Crime, Praeger
Gilman, N., Goldhammer, J. and Weber, S. (eds) Deviant Globalization: Black Market Economy in the 21st Century, Continuum
Gottschalk, P (2009) Policing Organized Crime, CRC Press (electronic book)
Madsen, F. (2009) Transnational Organised Crime, Routledge
Mallory, S. (2011) Understanding Organized Crime, Jones and Bartlett
Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow
Roth, M. (2010) Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook, ABC-CLIO
Siegel, D. and Nelen, H. (eds) (2008) Organized Crime: Culture, Markets and Policies, Springer (electronic book)
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000)
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2010) “The Globalization of Crime”
van Schendel, W. and Abraham, I. (eds) (2005) Illicit Flows and Criminal Things: States, Borders, and the Other Side of Globalization, Indiana University Press (electronic book)
Varese, F. (2011) Mafias on the Move: How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories: The Globalization of Organized Crime, Princeton University Press
Journals:
Trends in Organized Crime
Transnational Organized Crime
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
Mid-term exam | Short and long answer questions to test knowledge of definitions, theories and debates concerning the activities and conections between the criminal phenomena discussed in the first half of the course. | 20% |
Final Exam | Short and long answer questions to test knowledge of
theories and debates concerning the activities and conections between
the criminal phenomena discussed in the second half of the course, making links with materials studied during the first half, as well as discussing challenges to fighting these phenomena. | 30% |
Oral Presentation | 15-20 minute explanation of a case-study linked to one of the weekly topics, explaining the broader relevance of the study to the course, the methods used to collect information, the main findings and conclusions, and the sources used. Students will provide a handout with their main points, useful data and bibliography to the rest of the class. | 15% |
Final Research Paper | 2,000-2,500 word research paper on a topic relevant to the course, based on research using at least 4 academic sources. <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: calibri,sans-serif;">The paper will focus 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. </span>Assignment guidelines will be provided early in the semester. | 25% |
Attendance and Participation | Attendance is mandatory and students will be unable to follow the themes and topics discussed without regular attendance. Participation in class discussions, asking appropriate questions and taking notes are essential and your grade will be based on all these elements. | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work 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.
B: This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.
There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
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 REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory and students's grades will be lowered after two unappropved absences.
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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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SCHEDULE
Session
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Session Focus
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Reading and other Assignments
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WK1A
3 Sept
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Introduction to the course
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Mandatory: Allum, F. and Gilmour, S. (2011) “Introduction”, Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organised Crime, Routledge, p.1-15.
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WK 1B
5 Sept
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Defining and Measuring Transnational Organized Crime
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Mandatory: Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow, Chapter 2, p. 12-37
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WK2A
10 Sept
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Liquid crime: Globalization and its deviances
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Chambliss, W.J. and Williams, E. (2011) in Allum, F. and Gilmour, S. Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organised Crime, Routledge, Chapter 3, p. 52-64
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WK 2B
12 Sept
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Practices of transnational organized crime
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WK3A
17 Sept
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Money laundering, the ‘clean’ economy and ‘gray’ economies
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“Illicit Money: Can It Be Stopped?”
By Raymond Baker & Eva Joly
New York Review of Books
December 3, 2009
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http://www.gfintegrity.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=277&Itemid=72
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WK3B
19 Sept
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Cybercrimes
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Mandatory: Glenny, Misha (2009) McMafia, Vintage, Chapter 12, p. 303-325
“Inside the Global Hacker Service Economy” by Scott Berinato
http://www.csoonline.com/article/456863/inside-the-global-hacker-service-economy
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WK 4A
24 Sept
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Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes
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Mandatory: “Terror’s Purse Strings” by DANA THOMAS August 30, 2007, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/opinion/30thomas.html?_r=1
“Smuggling made easy: Landlocked Paraguay emerges as a top producer of contraband tobacco” By Marina Walker Guevara, Mabel Rehnfeldt, Marcelo Soares, June 29, 2009
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WK4B
26 Sept
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Trafficking in art and antiquities
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Mandatory: Watch: Fighting illicit traffic of cultural property in South East Europe, Interpol video
http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/Videos/(video_id)/10781
Mandatory: UNESCO 2011 “The fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural objects. The 1970 convention: past and future” p5-9 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001916/191606e.pdf
C. Adler, D. Chappell & K. Polk, 'Perspectives on the organisation and control of the illicit traffic in antiquities in South East Asia' (Paper presented at the Organised Crime In Art and Antiquities, Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Italy, 12-14 December, 2009). http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=lawpapers
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WK 5A
1 Oct
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Guest lecture by Prof Vicky Kynourgiopoulou on trafficking in archaeology in the Mediterranean (date and time TBA)
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Mandatory: Keefe, P.R. “Snakeheads and Smuggling: The Dynamics of Illegal Chinese Immigration” World Policy Journal March 2009 26: 33-44
Battles over Libya's dangerous migrant smuggling routes, BBC, 23 March 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17481181
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WK5B
3 Oct
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Trading in human beings - smuggling
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WK6A
8 Oct
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Documentary screening: Sex Slaves (55 mins)
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The New York Times article "The Girls Next Door" by Peter Landsman January 25, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/magazine/the-girls-next-door.html
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WK 6B
10 Oct
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Trading in human beings – the trafficking business
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WK 7A
15 Oct
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Mid-term exam
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Mandatory: Stephen Ellis, “West Africa's International Drug Trade,” African Affairs, 108(431), 2009: 171-196.
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WK 7B
17 Oct
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Cocaine trafficking: new routes and methods
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Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow, Chapter 4, p. 65-85
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WK8A
22 Oct
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Heroin, cannabis and synthetic drug trafficking
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Mandatory: “Computers pile up in Ghana dump” BBC 5 August 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7543489.stm
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WK 8B
24 Oct
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The illicit waste trade
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Mandatory: Jonny Steinberg “The illicit abalone trade in South Africa”
ISS Paper 105 • April 2005, http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/papers/105/Paper105.htm
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WK 9A
29 Oct
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Environmental crimes
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Mandatory: Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow, Chapter 3, p. 38-64
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WK9B
31 Oct
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The illegal arms trade
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Mandatory: “Failed states. Fixing a broken world”, The Economist Jan 29th 2009 http://www.economist.com/node/13035718
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WK10A
5 Nov
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Weak and failed states and transnational crime
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Plekhanov, Sergei (2003) “Organized crime, business and the State in post-communist Russia” in Allum, F. and Siebert, R. (eds) Organized Crime and the Challenge to Democracy”, Chapter 4, p.73- 92
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WK10B
7 Nov
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Weak and failed states and transnational crime cont’d
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Mandatory: Makarenko,T. (2011) in Allum, F. and Gilmour, S. Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organised Crime, Routledge, Chapter 15, p. 234-249
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WK11A
12 Nov
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Transnational crime and terrorism
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Prepare presentations
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WK11B
14 Nov
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Student presentations (for those not done in previous classes)
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WK12A
19 Nov
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Student presentations (for those not done in previous classes)
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Mandatory: Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow, Chapter 10, p. 199-216
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WK 12B
21 Nov
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Civil society: impacts and responses
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23-24 Nov
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TRANS-NATIONAL
ORGANIZED CRIME
CONFERENCE
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MANDATORY ATTENDANCE
AT LEAST ONE PANEL
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WK 13A
26 Nov
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International governance and its challenges
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Reading TBA
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WK 13B
28 Nov
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International governance and its challenges
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Reading TBA
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WK 14A
3 Dec
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Fighting global crime: State of the art and best practice
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WK 14B
5 Dec
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Conclusions and review
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FINAL EXAM
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