|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 326H"
COURSE NAME: "Globalization and Crime(This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2016
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30PM 2:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
60
CREDITS:
4
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: at least one 200-level course in Economics, International Affairs or Political Science
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.
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.
|
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.
Honors students will write an extended research paper, give a 20-minute presentation to their peers and have individual meetings to discuss the progress of their research with the professor.
|
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:
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Organised Crime and the Challenge to Democracy | Allum, F. and Siebert, R. (eds) (2008) | Routledge | 0415467276 | | |
| Defining and Defying Organized Crime | Allum, F. et al (eds) (2010) | Routledge | 0415548527 | | |
| Routledge Handbook of Transnational Organised Crime | Allum, F. and Gilmour, S. (2011) | Routledge | 0415579791 | | |
| Transnational Organised Crime: Perspectives on Global Security | dwards, Adam and Peter Gill (eds) (2006) | Routledge | 0415403391 | | |
| Traffick: The Illicit Movement of People and Things | Bhattacharyya, G. (2005) | Pluto | 0745320473 | | |
| Art and Crime | Charney, N. (ed) (2009) | Praeger | 0313366357 | | |
| Fraud, Corruption and Sport | Brooks, Graham, Azeem Aleem and Mark Button (2013) | Palgrave | 0230299784 | | |
| Transnational organized crime: An overview from six continents. | Albanese, J. S., & Reichel, P. L. (2014). | Sage | 1452290075 | | |
| Understanding Organized Crime | Mallory, S. (2011) | Jones and Bartlett | 1449648045 | | |
| Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy | Naim, Moises (2007) | Arrow | 0434013501 | | |
| Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook | Roth, M. (2010) | ABC-CLIO | 159884332X | | |
| Organized Crime: Culture, Markets and Policies | Siegel, D. and Nelen, H. (eds) (2008) | Springer (Electronic book) | 0387097104 | | |
| Illicit Flows and Criminal Things: States, Borders, and the Other Side of Globalization | van Schendel, W. and Abraham, I. (eds) (2005) | Indiana University Press (Electronic book) | 025321811X | | |
| Mafias on the Move: How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories: The Globalization of Organized Crime | Varese, F. (2011) | Princeton University Press | 0691158010 | | |
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term exam | Essay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings | 20% |
| Final Exam | Essay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings | 30% |
| 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 c
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 6 May 2016. |
| |
|
|
|
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
|
|
WK1A
18 Jan
|
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
20 Jan
|
Defining and Measuring Transnational Organized Crime
|
Naim, Moises (2007) Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy, Arrow, Chapter 2 (p. 12-37)
On MyJCU
|
|
WK 2A
25 Jan
|
Liquid crime: Globalization and its deviances
|
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
|
|
WK 2B
27 Jan
|
Practices of transnational organized crime
|
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
|
|
WK3A
1 Feb
|
Money laundering, the ‘clean’ economy and ‘gray’ economies
|
Europol Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (2013)
On MyJCU https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/eu-serious-and-organised-crime-threat-assessment-socta
|
|
WK3B
3 Feb
|
|
Yar, M. (2006). Cybercrime and Society. London: SAGE Publications. Chapter 1 (p.1-20) On MyJCU
|
|
WK4A
8 Feb
|
Cybercrimes
|
Kshetri, Nir B. (2013). Cybercrimes in the Former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe: Current Status and Key Drivers. On MyJCU
|
|
WK 4B
10 Feb
|
Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes
|
Watch counterfeiting documentary (link on MyJCU)
|
|
WK5A
15 Feb
|
Counterfeits and Intellectual Property Crimes
Cont’d
|
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
17 Feb
|
Trafficking in art and antiquities
|
|
|
WK6A
22 Feb
|
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
|
|
WK6B
24 Feb
|
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 7A
29 Feb
|
Trading in human beings – the trafficking business
|
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
2 Mar
|
Mid-term exam
|
|
|
WK 7C
4 Mar
MAKE-UP DAY for 25 April
|
Human trafficking cont'd
|
|
|
WK 8A
7 Mar
|
Cocaine trafficking: new routes and methods
|
Stephen Ellis, “West Africa's International Drug Trade,” African Affairs, 108(431), 2009: 171-196.
On MyJCU
|
|
WK8B
9 Mar
|
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 9A
14 Mar
|
Cannabis and synthetic drug trafficking
|
|
|
WK 9B
16 Mar
|
The illicit waste trade
|
|
|
WK10A
21 Mar
|
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
|
|
WK10B
23 Mar
|
Weak and failed states and transnational crime
|
|
|
28 Mar -1 April
|
SPRING BREAK
|
|
|
WK11A
4 April
|
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
|
|
WK11B
6 April
|
Transnational crime and terrorism
|
START “Background Report on Boko Haram”, 2014
On MyJCU
|
|
WK12A
11 April
|
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
|
|
WK12B
13 April
|
Fighting global crime: State of the art and best practice
|
|
|
WK 13 A
18 April
|
Student Presentations
|
|
|
WK 13B
20 April
|
|
|
|
WK 14A
25 April
NO CLASS
|
ITALIAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY
|
|
|
WK 14B27 April
|
Student Presentations
Conclusions and review
|
|
|
|
|