The term "organised crime" brings to mind Drug Cartels, Mafias, Black Societies and Motorcycle Gangs. What do these groups have in common? What are their differences? What do they actually do? This course aims to unpack and understand the dynamics of organised crime, its actors, groups, activities and organisation as well as their geographical aspects. We will explore from an advanced theoretical and practical perspective the different approaches that have been used in order to explain and understand organised crime, as well as the policy responses to it. Case-based approaches will be used to illustrate throughout the course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- critically engage with the main theoretical approaches to the study of organised crime and their evolution across time;
- critically evaluate the contributions of different schools of thought to our understanding of organised crime;
- identify the main characteristics, activities, actors, and forms of organised crime and demonstrate high analytical abilities on the subject;
- critically analyse organised crime policy at the local and international level; and
- critique complex theories in a professional and succinct manner.
Work Integrated Learning
Simulation/Virtual
In CRIM6002, students will produce a policy brief designed to simulate the requirements of many workplaces. The policy brief gives the experience of mounting a persuasive argument to a specific audience who has decision-making authority.
Indicative Assessment
- Presentation in tutorial, 15 mins (10) [LO 2,5]
- Policy Brief, 1000 words (20) [LO 1,4]
- Essay, 1500 words (20) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Major Essay, 3500 words (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of tutorials and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Paoli, L (ed.) 2014, The Oxford handbook of organized crime, Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.Allum, F & Gilmour, S (eds) 2011, Routledge handbook of transnational organized crime, London, England: Routledge.
Assumed Knowledge
This course is taught assuming students have advanced knowledge of sociology and criminology.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3960 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
