Postgraduate Course: Global Crime and Insecurity (LAWS11292)
Course Outline
School | School of Law |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | The focus of the course is the definition, explanation and interpretation of global forms of crime, insecurity and injustice. This is tackled in a structure which examines issues of categorization and definition first, before exploring a range of contexts in which crime and criminality may be researched, then examining particular forms of crime.
Global Crime and Insecurity is one of two core courses on the MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Insecurity and is available to students on LLM programmes, the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and MSc programmes in the School of Social and Political Science (check with your programme director).
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Course description |
The course is normally delivered through a set of 10 weekly seminars, making use of whole-class discussions, smaller break-out groups, lecturer-led and student-led activity. Reading lists and activities are published ahead of teaching weeks, so you know what to expect and what sources to prioritise.
1. Introduction/Globalization and crime
Introducing the course, its aims, its delivery and its assessment. Starting a discussion about the implications of globalization on crime, and of examining crime in a global context.
2. Social harms and zemiology
From the beginning we open up to alternative frames for understanding key phenomena ¿ here we introduce harm based perspectives.
3. Development and Crime
The first context session ¿ here we look at what we mean by development, and look at the relationship between development and crime.
4. Conflict and crime
The second context section ¿ examining the interrelationship between conflict and economic crime.
5. Transnational organisation of crime
6. Gender based crime and femicide
7. Trafficking
This session is traditionally led by student group presentations covering a diverse range of forms of trafficking
8. Genocide and atrocity crime
9. Terrorism
10. Writing on global crime
Ahead of the final assessment we break down examples of published articles into their constituent parts to identify good practice.
Order may change to fit staff availability.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 50 |
Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
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Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
One essay of 1500 words
One journal-style article 3,500 words |
Feedback |
Feedback is given at three main points in the year.
1. At the time the short essay question is set, students are given generic feedback derived from an overview of submissions in previous years.
2. The short essay is timed to provide students with full, individualised feedback in weeks 9 or 10, at least 5 weeks ahead of submission of the second, longer assessment.
3. Full feedback is given on the longer assessment.
Feedback is given under the following headings:
Critical and conceptual analysis
Strength and cohesion of argument
Use of sources/evidence
Structure and organisation
Breadth and relevance of reading
Clarity of expression, presentation and referencing
General comments
Students are invited to discuss any feedback with the course convenor during advertised office hours or another mutually convenient time.
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No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- A broad sense of research literture on international and transnational forms of crime and a strategy to access relevant literature
- An advanced understanding of approaches to, and issues in defining, describing, measuring and researching international and transnational forms of crime
- The ability to present a coherent and evidenced argument in a limited space
- A clear understanding of, and ability to apply, explanatory frameworks for international and transnational forms of crime
- The ability to follow a clear style guide in producing work of a high presentation standard
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Reading List
* Katja FRANKO 2019,. Globalization and Crime
* Alison LIEBLING, Shad MARUNA and Lesley MCARA (eds) 2017, Oxford Handbook of Criminology (6th
edition)
* Mangai NATARAJAN (ed.) 2019 International Crime and Justice.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Generic cognitive skills
The area of global crime is a new and developing area in criminology, synthesising theory and knowledge from a range of disciplines. Seminars and assessment will be designed to encourage students to access a range of sources and to synthesise these in understanding particular forms of international and transnational crime. Students are encouraged to select particular cases or problems to which they then apply learning from the course to come up with original analyses. The field is characterised by sketchy and often contentious evidence, and students are encouraged to deal with this, seeking creative solutions where possible and limiting conclusions where necessary.
Communication skills
Students are expected to communicate appropriately with peers and experts in seminars which are predominantly based around discussions and group tasks. High level communication skills are developed through the use of journal-style assessments. Critical engagement with quantitative data sources is focused in one particular session on measurement but also runs throughout a number of other sessions.
Autonomy, accountability and working with others
Students develop autonomy through preparation for seminars and assessments where, beyond a core minimum, they are expected to direct their own reading, and define their approach to questions, selection of cases and examples. Group work in seminars encourages the development of peer working, including exercising leadership in groups, working as part of a team to effectively realise goals and producing outputs that enjoy group support and consensus.
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Keywords | Crime,Genocide,Harm,International,Organised Crime,Smuggling,Cybercrime,State,TErrorism |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Andy Aitchison
Tel: (0131 6)51 4563
Email: andy.aitchison@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Chloe Culross
Tel: (0131 6)50 9588
Email: Chloe.Culross@ed.ac.uk |
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