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:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and the skills to:

1. critically engage with the main theoretical approaches to the study of organised crime and their evolution across time;
2. critically evaluate the contributions of different schools of thought to our understanding of organised crime;
3. identify the main characteristics, activities, actors, and forms of organised crime and demonstrate high analytical abilities on the subject;
4. critically analyse organised crime policy at the local and international level; and
5. critique complex theories in a  professional and succinct manner.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Overview (22-26 July)
2	Who or what is organised crime? (29 July-2 August)
3	Studying Organised Crime (5-9 August)
4	the mafia and other Organised Crime Groups (12-16 Aug)
5	Week 5 – Protection & the drug trade (19-23 Aug)
6	Human trafficking & people smuggling (26-30 August)
7	Asian Organised Crime (16-20 September)
8	Organised Crime and corruption (23-27 September)
9	Financial aspects of Organised Crime (30 September-4 October)
10	Organised Crime and political chaos (7-11 October
11	State responses to Organised Crime (14-18 October)
12	Looking forward: Organised Crime in the XXIst century (21-25 October)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Presentation	10 %	25/10/2019	30/10/2019	2,5
Policy Brief	20 %	19/09/2019	10/10/2019	1,4
Essay	20 %	03/10/2019	24/10/2019	1,3,4,5
Major Essay	50 %	30/10/2019	01/12/2019	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Presentation

All students must make a 10-15 minute presentation to their tutorial group. Presentations will be in the form of a briefing on a criminal organisation. The briefing is to include:

 

·        What led to the formation of the organisation

·        Where and when the organisation operated

·        Who or what determines membership of the organisation

·        The social and political context

·        The criminal activity/ies of the organisation

·        The social and/or political harm caused by the organisation

·        What other criminal organisations (if any) has the organisation worked with

·        The state response to the organisation

·        A reference list of scholars or other authors who have written about the organisation

 

Students may select an organisation from the following list. Alternately, students may select another organisation with the permission of the convenor. Only one student per tutorial group can present on a particular organisation. Cooperation across tutorial groups is encouraged.

 

Sicilian Mafia

Calabrian ‘ndrangheta

American Mafia

Australian ‘ndrangheta

Chinese Triads

Hell’s Angels California

Los Zetas (Mexico)

Medellin Cartel (Colombia)

The Firm (UK – Kray twins)

Yakuza (Japan)

Painters & Dockers (Melbourne)

The Team – Lennie McPherson (Sydney)

Camorra (Naples, Italy)

D-Company (India – Mumbai)

Russian mafiya

Murder Inc. (USA)

Carlton Crew (Melbourne)

Russian arms traffickers

Mongrol Mob (New Zealand)

Nigerian Fraudsters

Rubric

Element	Excellent: HD 80% +	Very Good: D 70-79%	Good C 60-69%	Fair P 50-59%	Fail 0-49%
Presentation (50%)	Students introduces themselves and their topic, speaks clearly with no, or little reference to notes. Addresses the group.	Students introduces themselves and their topic, speaks clearly with some reference to notes. Some talking to slides.	Student introduces themselves and their topic, speaks clearly but mostly reads notes. Some talking to slides.	Student does not introduce themselves or their topic, mostly reads notes or mostly talks to slides.	Student does not introduce themselves and their topic, reads notes; or talks directly to slides, or no presentation made.
Content (25%)	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating a detailed understanding of the OC group and is a balanced overview of the group’s: Formation Place of operation Time of operation Membership determinants Socio-political context Criminal activity/ies The social and/or political harm Partner organisations State response to the organisation	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating a very good understanding of the organised crime group and includes all elements but may over or under focus on particular points	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating an adequate understanding of the organised crime group and includes most elements, but misses one or two of the required briefing elements.	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating a limited understanding of the organised crime group and misses three or more elements	Presentation is not theoretically framed or demonstrates an inadequate understanding of the organised crime group.
Evidence of research (reference list) (25%)	Reference list includes evidence of research using contemporary sources; theoretical and empirical academic literature; and other relevant material (grey literature) properly incorporated into presentation.	Reference list includes evidence of research using contemporary sources; theoretical and empirical academic literature; and other relevant material (grey literature) with some incorporation into presentation.	Reference list includes evidence of research using contemporary sources; theoretical and empirical academic literature and other relevant material (grey literature) with little / poor incorporation into presentation.	Reference list shows little evidence of research or fails to use one or more of these source types: contemporary material; theoretical or empirical academic literature; grey literature	No reference list provided or no evidence of research in two or more source types.

Assessment Task 2

Policy Brief

This assessment relates to learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3. The policy brief presents an opportunity for students to explore in a critical manner the policy and practical aspects of the topics discussed in the course and to begin to think about them in a structured manner. This will enhance not only their knowledge of the topic at hand but also their ability to expose and think about different topics in a clear and nuanced manner. The policy brief requires research of both academic and grey literature.

By week 5, students are expected to have selected an organised crime problem requiring a policy brief and an audience of policy-makers who would receive the briefing.

The problem and audience will be discussed / approved with the convener.

Rubric

Element	Excellent: HD 80% +	Very Good: D 70-79%	Good C 60-69%	Fair P 50-59%	Fail 0-49%
Understanding Of the chosen organised crime problem 20%	Policy brief demonstrates detailed understanding of selected problem, and includes insightful reflections drawing from the literature and course material	Policy brief demonstrates sound understanding of the problem and connects to the literature and course material	Policy brief demonstrates adequate understanding of problem, but makes no further connections	Policy brief demonstrates limited engagement with the problem: superficial response	Policy brief does not engage the problem
Evidence 20%	The policy brief consistently uses insightful evidence from the theoretical and empirical academic literature, and grey literature to support its recommendations with quotes and references	The policy brief includes mostly appropriate evidence from the theoretical and empirical academic literature, and grey literature to support its recommendations with quotes and references	The policy brief uses some evidence from the theoretical and empirical academic literature, and grey literature to support its recommendations or fails to reference examples	The policy brief consists of general comments on the academic and grey literature unsupported by specific examples or fails to reference examples	The policy brief  does not reference relevant evidence
Relevance to the chosen audience 30%	Policy brief is consistently relevant to the audience and makes insightful connections between the organised crime problem and the policy-makers	Policy brief makes some connections between the policy-makers and the organised crime problem	Policy brief is mostly relevant to the audience, but recommendations are basic	Policy brief  has little relevance for the policy makers or  deviates from the organised crime problem	Policy brief has no relevance to the policy-makers and / or the organised crime problem
Initiative 15%	The policy brief extends the discussion and introduces new ideas or approaches	The policy brief fully engages a range of concepts from the course	The policy brief mostly follows established themes and ideas	The policy brief shows little initiative and repeat earlier ideas	The policy brief shows no initiative
Written expression 15%	Brief is exceptionally clear and concise (<5 minor errors)	Brief is mostly clear and concise (<10 minor errors)	Brief is mostly clear but disorganised or wordy, and may have errors (<15 minor errors)	Brief is confusing or off topic, and may have grammatical or other errors. (<20 minor errors)	Brief is indecipherable, has more than 20 errors, or fails to use APA 6th

Assessment Task 3

Essay

All students must prepare an essay of 1500 words (+/- 10%) to answer one of the set questions. Students must use APA 6th referencing for the essay. The reference list is not included in the word count.

Essay Questions to be provided.

Due: 4pm 3 October 2019

SEE ASSESSMENT TASK 4 FOR RUBRIC

Assessment Task 4

Major Essay

All students must prepare an essay of 3500 words (+/- 10%) to answer one of the set questions. Students must use APA 6th referencing for the essay. The reference list is not included in the word count.

Essay Questions to be provided.

Due: 4pm, Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Rubric

Element	Excellent: HD 80% +	Very Good: D 70-79%	Good C 60-69%	Fair P 50-59%	Fail 0-49%
Understanding of text 20%	Essay demonstrates a detailed understanding of transnational and organised crime, & include insightful use of, or reflections upon the theoretical concepts	Essay demonstrates sound understanding of transnational and organised crime, and use of theoretical concepts	Essay demonstrates adequate understanding of transnational and organised crime and use of theoretical concepts	Essay demonstrates limited engagement with the theoretical concepts of transnational and organised crime - a superficial response	Essay does not engage with the theoretical concepts of organised crime
Evidence (20%) Essays should include empirical and theoretical academic material, and grey literature.	Essay consistently uses insightful evidence from the literature & course material, including quotes & page refs to support the point	Essay makes some insightful use of evidence from the literature & course material including quotes and page refs to support the point	Essay includes appropriate evidence from the literature & course material including quotes & page refs to support the point	Essay uses little or weak evidence from the literature or course material with few specific examples, or fails to reference examples	Essay fails to reference suitable literature and/or does not reference suitable theoretical literature
Response to Question (Relevance) 30%	Essay is consistently relevant to the question and makes insightful connections between the literature	Essay is relevant to the question and makes connections between the literature	Essay is mostly relevant to the question and makes good use of the literature	Essay is relevant to the question, but basic, or deviates from the topic	Essay has little relevance, does not engage or answer the question within a suitable theoretical frame
Initiative 15%	Essay extends the concepts from the course material and introduces new ideas or approaches	Essay fully engages a range of concepts from the course	Essay mostly follows established themes and ideas	Essay shows little initiative and repeats earlier ideas	Essay shows no initiative
Written expression (including referencing style) (15%)	Essay is exceptionally clear and concise (<5 minor errors)	Essay is mostly clear and concise (<10 minor errors)	Essay is mostly clear but disorganised or wordy, and may have errors (<15 minor errors)	Essay is confusing or off topic, and may have grammatical or other errors. (<20 minor errors)	Essay is indecipherable, has more than 20 errors, or fails to use APA 6th

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students