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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 326H"
COURSE NAME: "Globalization and Crime (This is an honors course and carries 4 semester hours of credit; NB: Minimum 3.5 CUM GPA required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 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:

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. 

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:
NONE
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). An EXTENDED presentation (20 mins minimum) using powerpoint.10%
Final Research Paper Students will develop an EXTENDED research paper of 3,000 words minimum 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 (see detailed handout provided in class)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 cours
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 is mandatory and, alongside active participation in class, makes up 15% of the final grade. Two unexcused absences will be tolerated, after which your grade will be lowered in proportion to each class missed.

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

1 Sept

Introduction to the course

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 1B

3 Sept

Defining and Measuring Transnational Organized 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. Introduction (p 1-37).
ON MyJCU

WK 2A

8 Sept

Liquid crime: Globalization and its deviances

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

WK 2B

10 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
HANDOUT

WK3A

15 Sept

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

Money laundering entry in Encyclopedia of Transnational Crime and Justice (2012) (p.259-270)
On MyJCU

WK3B

17 Sept

Cybercrimes

Yar, M. (2006). Cybercrime and Society. London: SAGE Publications. Chapter 1 (p.1-20) On MyJCU

WK4A

22 Sept

Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes

 

Hilton, B., Choi, C. J., & Chen, S. (December 01, 2004). The Ethics of Counterfeiting in the Fashion Industry: Quality, Credence and Profit Issues. Journal of Business Ethics, 55, 4, 343-352.
On MyJCU

WK 4B

24 Sept

Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes

Cont’d

WK5A

29 Sept

Trafficking in art and antiquities

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.
On MYJCU

WK 5B

1 Oct

Trafficking in art and antiquities

Cont’d

WK6A

6 Oct

Trading in human beings - smuggling

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

WK6B

8 Oct

Trading in human beings – the trafficking business

UNODC Global report onTrafficking In persons
(Students read and summarize assigned sections)
ON MyJCU

WK 7A

13 Oct

Documentary screening

The New York Times article "The Girls Next Door" by Peter Landsman January 25, 2005
READ ONLINE:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/magazine/the-girls-next-door.html

WK 7B

15 Oct

Mid-term exam

WK 8A

20 Oct

Cocaine trafficking: new routes and methods

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

WK8B

22 Oct

Heroin, cannabis and synthetic drug trafficking

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 9A

27 Oct

The drug trade continued

WK 9B

29 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

WK10A

3 Nov

Environmental crimes

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

WK10B

5 Nov

Environmental crimes Cont’d

WK11A

10 Nov

Weak and failed states and transnational crime

 

“Failed states. Fixing a broken world”, The Economist Jan 29th 2009
READ ONLINE
http://www.economist.com/node/13035718

WK11B

12 Nov

Weak and failed states and transnational crime cont’d

“Conflict Minerals: The Price of Precious”, National Geographic, 2013
READ ONLINE
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/conflict-minerals/gettleman-text

WK12A

17 Nov

Transnational  crime and terrorism

START “Background Report on Boko Haram”, 2014

On MyJCU

WK12B

19 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  

WK 13 A

24 Nov

Fighting global crime: State of the art and best practice

WK 13B

26 Nov

Student Presentations

WK 14A
1 Dec

Student Presentations

WK 14B

3 Dec

Student Presentations

WK 14B

5 Dec

Conclusions and review

 

FINAL EXAM