Serious and Organised Crime

Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) has become a significant concern and appears to be on the increase globally. Within this course we explore the motivations, activities and structures surrounding the overarching umbrella of SOC.

Using case studies such as the Japanese Yakuza and Italian Mafia, alongside British examples of Organised Crime to illustrate the links and progression from local to global, we will discuss the structures and hierarchies of Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) as well as some of the more prominent forms of organised crime.

You will examine lesser-known forms of organised crime - including slavery, trafficking of people, products or wildlife, and racketeering - and how these crimes are facilitated (corruption, money laundering, supportive legitimate enterprises).

This course is multi-disciplinary and would be suitable for students with an interest in this area and from a range of academic interests including criminology, sociology, law, and international relations. No prior subject specific learning is required.

After studying on this course, you should be able to:

• Critically assess a variety of interpretations, motivations and activities relating to national and transnational SOC.
• Evaluate impacts of specific OCGs along with their activities and the national and/or international criminal justice and policy responses.
• Independently appraise the legitimacy and effectiveness of national and international policy responses to organised crime.
• Effectively communicate and articulate a research-informed critical account of the activities of OCGs and responses to organised crime.

Assessment: a 5-minute oral presentation and defence of a report followed by a 10-minute Q&A.

The course is multi-disciplinary and would be suitable for students from a range of academic interests such as criminology, law, international relations, sociology and many other disciplines, with an interest in this area, but no prior subject specific learning is required.