SC556-7-SP-CO:
Organised Crime: Global and Local
2023/24
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
ReassessmentOnly
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
20
21 June 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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This module covers the construction of organised crime as a concept, and the utility of the concept as a tool of governance. In doing so, the module will look at both landmark studies and the emerging horizons within the field of organised crime studies by close readings of recent cutting-edge work by leading authors in the field.
This module examines the phenomena of organised crime from critical and theoretical perspectives. By starting from the paradigms of mafias, especially Italian mafias, and the definitions of organised crime, through a multi-disciplinary approach, this module will engage with key definitional debates relating to social, political, media, cultural and ideological dimensions of this field of study. Additionally, theoretical debates are outlined and applied to counter measures, in criminal law and criminal procedures against organised crime across states. In addition to its international and interdisciplinary focus on different organised criminal activities, the module will look at different countries, groups' movements and migration of criminal activities. The module emphasises the local sphere of criminal networks and their links with societies and communities as a lens through which many of these themes are filtered.
This module examines the phenomena of organised crime from critical and theoretical perspectives. Implicit in this study is a multi-disciplinary approach, albeit one which emphasises criminological analysis. In doing so, key definitional debates relating to social, political, media, cultural and ideological understandings of the phenomena are examined. Additionally, theoretical debates are outlined and applied to different modes of organised criminal activity. In addition to its international and interdisciplinary focus, the module emphasises the importance of the relationship between the local and the global.
By the end of the course, students should:
a) Be able to show an understanding of the forms, patterns and trends characterising of organised crime.
b) Have developed a critical awareness of the broad social, cultural, economic and political aspects organised crime.
c) Be able to assess the impacts and consequences of organised crime activities.
d) Be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the key functions that national and international enforcement agencies, laws, treaties and criminal courts may play in responding to transnational organised crime.
6 entries Portfolio (100%) submitted as one document to FASER.
Please note any file format is acceptable to FASER providing the file does not exceed the file size limit which is 50 MB
Most modules at postgraduate level in Sociology are taught as a 2hr seminar. Most classes, labs and seminars will be taught face-to-face (assuming social distancing allows this). There may also be some online activities – either timetabled as a live online session or available on Moodle in the form of pre-recorded videos. You will be expected to watch this material and engage with any suggested activities before your seminar/class each week.
Please note that you should be spending up to ten hours per week undertaking your own private study (reading, preparing for classes or assignments, etc.) on each of your modules (e.g. 30 hours in total for three 20--credit modules).
This module SC556 will include a range of activities to help you and your teachers to check your understanding and progress. These are: Moodle activities, forum discussions, in class activities, case studies etc. Please check Moodle for weekly activities. In some weeks the activities are those assessed for the portfolio. Check under ‘Assessment’ for a clearer explanation on how to approach these.
You are strongly encouraged to attend the classes/seminars as they provide an opportunity to talk with your class teacher and other students. The classes/seminars will be captured and available via Listen Again. However, if you want to gain the most you can from these seminars/classes it is very important that you attend and engage. Please note that the recording of seminars/classes is at the discretion of the teacher.
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Sergi, A. (2022)
Chasing the Mafia: ’Ndrangheta, Memories and Journeys. Bristol: Bristol University Press. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv2nv8phg.
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Sergi, A. (2017b)
From Mafia to organised crime: a comparative analysis of policing models. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at:
https://link-springer-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/book/10.1007/978-3-319-53568-5.
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Lampe, K. von (2016)
Organized crime: analyzing illegal activities, criminal structures, and extra-legal governance. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE. Available at:
https://sk.sagepub.com/books/organized-crime.
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Calderoni, F. (2008) ‘A Definition that Could not Work: the EU Framework Decision on the Fight against Organised Crime.’,
European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, 16(3), pp. 265–282. Available at:
https://brill.com/view/journals/eccl/16/3/article-p265_1.xml.
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Paoli, L. (2020) ‘What Makes Mafias Different?’,
Crime and Justice, 49, pp. 141–222. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1086/708826.
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Lampe, K. von and Blokland, A. (2020) ‘Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs and Organized Crime’,
Crime and Justice, 49, pp. 521–578. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1086/708926.
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Jupp, J. and Garrod, M. (2022) ‘Legacies of the Troubles: The Links between Organized Crime and Terrorism in Northern Ireland’,
Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 45(5-6), pp. 389–428. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2019.1678878.
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Campana, P. and Varese, F. (2018) ‘Organized Crime in the United Kingdom: Illegal Governance of Markets and Communities’,
The British Journal of Criminology, 58(6), pp. 1381–1400. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azx078.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
4 entries portfolio |
|
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Anna Sergi, email: asergi@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Anna Sergi
Email: sociology-pgt@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Prof Benjamin Bradford
University College London
Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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