The term "organised crime" brings to mind Drug Cartels, Mafias, Black Societies and Biker gangs.  What do these groups have in common? What are their differences? What do they actually do? This course aims to unpack and understand the dynamics of organised crime, its actors, groups, activities and organisation as well as their geographical aspects. We will explore from a theoretical and practical perspective the different approaches that have been used in order to explain and understand organised crime, as well as the policy responses to it. Case-based approaches will be used to illustrate throughout the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. apply the main theoretical approaches to the study of organised crime and their evolution across time;
2. critically evaluate the contributions of different schools of thought to our understanding of organised crime;
3. identify the main characteristics, activities, actors, and forms of organised crime;
4. critically analyse organised crime policy at the local and international level; and
5. succinctly communicate, orally and in writing, the outcomes of research on organised crime and criminal organisations.

Required Resources

All readings will be available via Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Day 1: Course Overview An overview of the course, including the topics for each day, expectations and assessment will be discussed. Who or what is organised crime?  Where do we focus our research on organized crime? Some argue it is the criminal act and how it is structured which should be the central focus. Others believe it is the criminal actors and the crimes they collectively commit. A simple example is whether to focus on the drug trafficking, or the drug trafficker. Studying organised crime  Like criminology in general, the study of organised crime presents methodological and data challenges. Do we trust police statistics? Do they tell us everything we need to know? Are large scale inquiries and Royal Commissions a political diversion, or do they truly reveal the extent and nature of organised crime? Day 1 will consist of three sessions: Session 1: (0930-1200) Session 2: (1330-1530) Session 3: (1530 - 1700) Please note that the format for each session may be subject to change (ie each session may include some lecture material, multi-media viewing, and some group work)
2	Day 2 The mafia and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs) In this first session we examine the godfather of all organised groups, the mafia with a specific focus on their presence in Australia. Unlike the United States, where the mafia have strongest links back to Sicily but have forged their own way, the ‘ndrangheta in Australia maintain close ties with Calabria. Contrasted with the strong familial bonds associated with the mafia are outlaw motorcycle gangs. First formed in California in the wake of World War II, the concept has crossed the Pacific with more than 20 groups now listed as criminal organisations in the various Australian jurisdictions. Drugs and illicit markets   In this session, we explore the multi-layered nature of the illicit drug market provides wide-ranging opportunities for organised crime to profit. However, the operations of a street-level dealer differ widely from the drug king-pins. Day 2 will consist of three sessions: Session 1: (0930-1200) Session 2: (1330-1530) Session 3: (1530 - 1700) Please note that the format for each session may be subject to change (ie each session may include some lecture material, a documentary and some group work, depending on the topic).	In-class activity/ or quiz worth 5%
3	Day 3 Human trafficking & people smuggling  Human trafficking is modern day slavery. According to estimates by the International Labour Organization, more than 20.9 million people are in some form of indentured service, 4.5 million are sexually exploited, 14.2 million are in forced labour and 2.2 million are under government imposed labour. In this session we unpack the problem and look at who organises these crimes and how they connect to other criminal activities. Organised crime in the ASEAN region  The ASEAN region represents one of the fastest growing economic zones on earth. Despite the pandemic, organized crime has continued to thrive throughout the region. This session covers the developments of organised crime and criminal markets throughout the region. Day 3 will consist of three sessions: Session 1: (0930-1200) Session 2: (1330-1530) Session 3: (1530 - 1700) Please note that the format for each session may be subject to change (ie each session may include some lecture material, a documentary and some group work, depending on the topic)	In-class activity/ or quiz worth 5%
4	Day 4 Money laundering So you have run a successful organised criminal enterprise. The question is now what to do with the proceeds? In the 1980s, cocaine traffickers found they had literally rooms full of cash beyond their capacity to spend. What happens to this money? Who launders it, how? And what do the Panama Papers have to do with it all. Organised crime and the environment Organised crime doesn't just impact people, the environment (both its flaura and fauna) often pays a heavy price. In this session we look at some examples of organised crime exploiting the environment. Day 4 will consist of three sessions: Session 1: (0930-1200) Session 2: (1330-1530) Session 3: (1530 - 1700) Please note that the format for each session may be subject to change (ie each session may include some lecture material, a documentary and some group work, depending on the topic).	In-class activity/ or quiz worth 5%
5	Day 5 State responses to Organised Crime Police jurisdiction often ends at the border, whereas organised crime groups take advantage of this fact. We will look at the development of international police cooperation and the legal instruments developed to overcome transnational organised crime. Despite this impressive international architecture for controlling organised crime, states continue to form their own responses suited to the societal context. Some of these a transferable, others are not. We also examine some of the domestic responses including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) laws from the US, anti-mafia laws in Italy and the Royal Commissions, National Crime Authority and Australian Crime Commission in Australia. Day 5 will consist of three sessions: Session 1: (0930-1200) Session 2: (1330-1530) Session 3: (1530 - 1700) Please note that the format for each session may be subject to change (ie each session may include some lecture material, a documentary and some group work, depending on the topic).	In-class activity/ or quiz worth 5%
6	Day 6 Looking forward: Organised Crime in the XXIst century If history teaches us anything, it is that there is little change in human nature. If this is true, organised crime will continue to feature as a dark reflection of national societies. The course so far has shone a small light on the underworld of the past and present – but what of the future? This final lecture explores the influence and place of organised crime upon a few of the big issues facing global society – terrorism, globalisation and the environmental movement. Day 6 will consist of three sessions: Session 1: (0930-1200) Session 2: (1330-1530) Session 3: (1530 - 1700) Please note that the format for each session may be subject to change (ie each session may include some lecture material, a documentary and some group work, depending on the topic).	In-class activity/ or quiz worth 5%

Tutorial Registration

See Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Participation (10%)	10 %	2, 5
Country briefing (25%)	25 %	2, 5
Policy Brief (40%)	40 %	1,2,3
In-class quizzes/activties (25%)	25 %	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

See Assessment Task 1

Examination(s)

n/a

Assessment Task 1

Participation (10%)

Participation in classes will be assessed against the following expectations: 

·       You are expected to demonstrate that you have read/watched/listened to and understood the required materials for each class. 

·       You are expected to work collaboratively in both small groups and whole-class discussion to analyse and discuss issues raised in the course. 

·       You are expected to come prepared and participate within this collaborative environment, identifying issues for analysis, presenting ideas, facilitating discussion, and resolving problems. 

You are encouraged to contact your course convenor at any point during the semester to discuss how you are progressing with your class participation. 

Assessment Task 2

Country briefing (25%)

Details of task: All students must make a 10-minute presentation in the form of a Zoom recording with accompanying PowerPoint slides. Please include a slide with the references that you used to inform your briefing. 

Students are to provide a briefing on organised crime in a particular country (choose from the list below). The briefing is to include:

• What the main organised crime problem is in the country
• What organisations are involved in the organised crime
• The social and political context
• The social and/or political harm caused by organised crime
• The state response to the organisation
• A reference list of scholars or other authors who have written about organised crime in the country

Australia (discuss links to another country)

Brazil

Canada

China

Colombia

France

Germany

Guatemala

India

Israel

Italy

Japan

Mexico

Morocco

Netherlands

Nigeria

New Zealand

Pakistan

Russia

South Africa

Turkey

United Kingdom

United States

Ukraine

Rubric

Element	Excellent: HD 80% +	Very Good: D 70-79%	Good C 60-69%	Fair P 50-59%	Fail 0-49%
Presentation 50%	Students introduces themselves and their topic and speaks clearly.  Follows a clear and logical structure. Slides are informative, engaging and easy to follow.	Students introduces themselves and their topic and speaks clearly. Mostly follows a clear and logical structure. Slides are mostly informative, engaging and easy to follow.	Student introduces themselves and their topic, but voice is lacking clarity. Some structure is lacking.  Slides are mostly informative, engaging and easy to follow.	Student does not introduce themselves or their topic. Weak structure to presentation. Very few slides.	Student does not introduce themselves and their topic, no slides.
Content 25%	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating a detailed understanding of the OC in the country and is a balanced overview of: the problem the criminals The context The harms State response International connections	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating a very good understanding of the country and includes all elements but may over or under focus on particular points	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating an adequate understanding of the ocountry and includes most elements, but misses one of the required briefing elements.	Presentation is theoretically framed, demonstrating a limited understanding of the country and misses two or more elements.	Presentation is not theoretically framed or demonstrates an inadequate understanding of the organised crime group.
Evidence of research (reference list) (25%)	Reference list includes evidence of research using contemporary sources; theoretical and empirical academic literature; and other relevant material (grey literature) properly incorporated into presentation.	Reference list includes evidence of research using contemporary sources; theoretical and empirical academic literature; and other relevant material (grey literature) with some incorporation into presentation.	Reference list includes evidence of research using contemporary sources; theoretical and empirical academic literature and other relevant material (grey literature) with little / poor incorporation into presentation.	Reference list shows little evidence of research or fails to use one or more of these source types: contemporary material; theoretical or empirical academic literature; grey literature	No reference list provided or no evidence of research in two or more source types.

Assessment Task 3

Policy Brief (40%)

Details of task: This assessment relates to learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3. The policy brief presents an opportunity for students to explore in a critical manner the policy and practical aspects of the topics discussed in the course and to begin to think about them in a structured manner. This will enhance not only their knowledge of the topic at hand but also their ability to expose and think about different topics in a clear and nuanced manner. The policy brief requires research of both academic and grey literature.

Students are expected to have selected an organised crime problem requiring a policy brief and an audience of policy-makers who would receive the briefing by the end of Week 1 of the intensive.

Word Limit: 1500 words (+/- 10%) (does not include reference list)

Rubric

Element	Excellent: HD 80% +	Very Good: D 70-79%	Good C 60-69%	Fair P 50-59%	Fail 0-49%
Understanding Of the chosen organised crime problem 20%	Policy brief demonstrates detailed understanding of selected problem, and includes insightful reflections drawing from the literature and course material	Policy brief demonstrates sound understanding of the problem and connects to the literature and course material	Policy brief demonstrates adequate understanding of problem, but makes no further connections	Policy brief demonstrates limited engagement with the problem: superficial response	Policy brief does not engage the problem
Evidence 20%	The policy brief consistently uses insightful evidence from the theoretical and empirical academic literature, and grey literature to support its recommendations with quotes and references	The policy brief includes some appropriate evidence from the theoretical and empirical academic literature, and grey literature to support its recommendations with quotes and references	The policy brief uses little or weak evidence from the theoretical and empirical academic literature, and grey literature to support its recommendations or fails to reference examples	The policy brief consists of general comments on the academic and grey literature unsupported by specific examples or fails to reference examples	The policy brief  does not reference relevant evidence
Relevance to the chosen audience 30%	Policy brief is consistently relevant to the audience and makes insightful connections between the organised crime problem and the policy-makers	Policy brief makes some connections between the policy-makers and the organised crime problem	Policy brief is mostly relevant to the audience, but recommendations are basic	Policy brief  has little relevance for the policy makers or  deviates from the organised crime problem	Policy brief has no relevance to the policy-makers and / or the organised crime problem
Initiative 15%	The policy brief extends the discussion and introduces new ideas or approaches	The policy brief fully engages a range of concepts from the course	The policy brief mostly follows established themes and ideas	The policy brief shows little initiative and repeat earlier ideas	The policy brief shows no initiative
Written expression 15%	Brief is exceptionally clear and concise (<5 minor errors)	Brief is mostly clear and concise (<10 minor errors)	Brief is mostly clear but disorganised or wordy, and may have errors (<15 minor errors)	Brief is confusing or off topic, and may have grammatical or other errors. (<20 minor errors)	Brief is indecipherable, has more than 20 errors, or fails to use APA 6th or 7th referencing (not style)

Assessment Task 4

In-class quizzes/activties (25%)

Students will complete a series of in-class activities and quizzes worth 5% each.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

Not Applicable

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students