Transnational Organised Crime

Course goals

After this course: 

• Students have a basic understanding of organized crime, its origins and persistence;

• Students have knowledge and understanding of key notions and -theories from several disciplines, particularly from criminology, about the issue of international organized crime;

• Students are able to review major current developments on several global illicit markets and criminal activities;

• Students have developed his ability to think critically about the social, economic and political relations between those illicit markets and broader legal organizations, social structures and legitimate actors;

• Students are able to present the outcome of research on the topic in the form of a written paper;

• Students are able to present the outcome of research on the topic in the form of an oral presentation;

• Students are able to use criminological terms in English.

Content

Theme: Prohibited cross-border economic activities

This criminology course focuses on organised crime and its international aspects.
Economic and technological globalisation has also led to a globalisation of organised crime and, increasingly, to an international response to it. The purpose of the course is to familiarise students with organised crime theory in an international context and to focus in particular on diverse forms of smuggling, like trafficking in hazardous waste, animals, arms, drugs, human beings, body parts etcetera. The course examines the antecedents for contemporary transnational organised crime; how new opportunities have opened up; and the different means that national and international organisations have employed to match the inventiveness and adaptability of the sophisticated criminal organisation. In order to familiarize students with the multidimensionality of these problems, professional experts in this field will lecture on various practical aspects. Students are required to participate in a practical research and write a paper about the results of their research.

Not possible in combination with RGBOI0450 International Organised Crime.

Place of the course within the curriculum:

• Optional course in the minor Criminology

• Optional non-legal course 

Additional requirements:
Any additional requirements of the course are listed in the "Leidraad" of the course.