2011/12 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3210 Organised Crime, Violence and the State

20 creditsClass Size: 83

Module manager: Yasmin Hussain
Email: y.hussain@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2011/12

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normally 40 credits at Level 2 in Social Science or related discipline

This module is mutually exclusive with

LAW3175

Terrorism and the Law

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This new module will covers a range of topics related broadly to the central themes of organised crime and terrorism. The module is closely linked to the emerging research outputs of the primary contributors. It introduces the student to issues and theories relating to the nature of organised crime, terrorism, state and political violence and then offers a detailed coverage of these through some key case studies.The module will entail a one-hour lecture on each issue followed by a screening of a documentary or film (where applicable/appropriate) relating to the issues covered. In addition, there will be one tutorial per week to discuss the key issues covered in the lecture, readings and documentary.Substantive topics include critical engagement with state and political violence in the context of the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland from the period of 1968-1998. It looks at state-sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere. In addition, drawing on recent global issues the topics of business crime, cyber crime and environmental crime are also detailed. The issue of drug trafficking and its links with corruption provide the platform to consider the issue of organised crime.Finally some critical discussion of the policies adopted by successive Governments in the UK in dealing with contemporary security issues are discussed and placed in a comparative perspective.This is an ideal elective for students interested in and wanting to further their knowledge and understanding the study of the sociology of deviance, crime and social control but also those with an interest in the nature of policy-making and its links to domestic and global politics.

Objectives

Closely analysing key themes in the contemporary and historical UK drug situation, with particular reference to their impact on society, the nature of policy and the politics of the issue, on completion of the module student should be able to:

- Demonstrate their understanding of the main theoretical and policy perspectives relating to the issues covered;
- Contribute to informed debate in relation to issues surrounding organised crime, state-sponsored and political violence and terrorism
- Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of UK and global policy responses to these issues.

Learning outcomes
In terms of intellectual, practical and transferable skills, students should be able to:
- Carry out independent study and evidence further reading
- Engage in critical reasoning and informed debate
- Synthesise arguments drawn from a variety of sources (academic and otherwise)
- Communicate this effectively in speech and writing.

Syllabus

1) Introduction to the Module
2) Understanding State Crime and Political Violence
3) State Crime in Northern Ireland, The 'Troubles' and Collusion
4) State-Sponsored Terrorism
5) Drug Trafficking and 'Narco Terrorism'
6) Environmental Crime
7) Cyber Crime
8) Business Crime, Tax Avoidance and Money Laundering
9) Responding to Terror and Organised Crime
10) Pre-Crime Society and the Rise of Insecurity
11) Recap and Revision.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	11	1.00	22.00
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			163.00
Total Contact hours			37.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Independent reading and scholarship is essential to the successful completion of the module. For each week, students are expected to undertake 15 hours of private study and independent learning. A total of 24 hours of extra preparation is recommended for researching, drafting and producing the assessed essay.
- 150 hours preparation for tutorials, lectures and weekly VLE contribution
- 18 hours preparation for final assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Initially, student progress will be monitored via their active participation in the tutorial sessions and by their reading summary postings.

Also, students will be required to present a plan of their final assessed essay by Week 8.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	5,000 words	80.00
Tutorial Performance	Postings on the VLE of reading summaries which will shape discussions in tutorials	20.00
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: 10/04/2013

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