SC556-7-AU-CO:
Organised Crime: Global and Local
2024/25
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
20
06 February 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MA MF9112 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MSC MF9012 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security
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 through 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.
The aims of this module are:
- To examine 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.
- To examine key definitional debates relating to social, political, media, cultural and ideological understandings of the phenomena. 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 this module, student will be expected to be able to:
- Show an understanding of the forms, patterns and trends characterising of organised crime.
- Have developed a critical awareness of the broad social, cultural, economic, and political aspects organised crime.
- Assess the impacts and consequences of organised crime activities.
- 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.
Theoretical debates are outlined and applied to countermeasures, 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 will be delivered via:
- One 2-hour seminar each week.
Attendance in person is expected.
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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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Meliáá, M.C. (2008) ‘The Wrongfulness of Crimes of Unlawful Association’,
New Criminal Law Review, 11(4), pp. 563–589. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1525/nclr.2008.11.4.563.
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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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Sergi, A. (2016a) ‘National Security vs Criminal law. Perspectives, Doubts and Concerns on the Criminalisation of Organised Crime in England and Wales’,
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 22(4), pp. 713–729. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-016-9304-3.
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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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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 |
10/12/2024 |
100% |
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.
Professor Anna Sergi
socpgtad@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Prof Benjamin Bradford
University College London
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 11 hours, 11 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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