2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3370 Organised Crime in Europe

20 creditsClass Size: 93

Module manager: Jennifer Sands
Email: J.M.Sands@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

"Why should we study a bunch of gangsters?" We need to study organised crime because in an increasingly globalised world and integrated Europe, the existence of a number of domestic and transnational organised crime groups presents an important security threat to Europe. The activities that these groups engage in, and the threats that they pose, seriously challenge political and legal systems, economies, civil societies and even democracy itself. This module will provide an introduction to the organised crime groups active in Europe and will give an overview of their historical, political, social and economic evolution. The course will cover: some definitions and models of organised crime; theories and antecedents; the relationship between organised crime and civil society, business and politics; traditional and non-traditional organised crime groups in Europe; and the fight against organised crime at the national and EU level.For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email J.M.Sands@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand and critically evaluate the different features of organised crime groups in Europe;
- analyse organised crime groups within their national and international contexts and appraise their relationships with their different political, social, economic institutions in the post war period;
- apply and manipulate the different theoretical literature and concepts on organise crime;
- extract and organise case-studies from different sources (internet, books, newspapers);
- engage in independent and team research for presentations and team projects;
- use analytical skills and tools in written and oral communication.

Syllabus

This module will provide an introduction to organised crime groups in Europe and an overview of their historical, political, social, and economic evolution. This course covers definitions and structures of organised crime, theories and antecedents, the history of organised crime groups in Italy and the EU, Non-traditional organised crime groups in Europe, civil society and organised crime, business and organised crime, politics and organised crime, the fight against organised crime at national and EU level.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 3,000 word essay	50.00
Case Study	1 x 3,000 word report	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/04/2009

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