Overview

This module aims to provide an examination of several aspects of transnational crime and justice. The module offers critical reflection on the practice of studying criminal justice agencies and institutions comparatively. In analysing national, comparative, and international research on the police, the criminal courts and the penal system, students will be alerted to the numerous issues that influence the practice and experience of criminal justice agencies. There will be discussion of terrorism, state crime and organised crime. Each of these fundamental concerns differs across diverse regions around the world. The module will discuss various methodologies used to study global crime.

Part 1 Global Crime Study of global patterns of criminal activity Study of Terrorism Study of Organised Crime Study of Illegal immigration and Human trafficking Study of Trafficking in arms and drugs Study of eCrime Part 2 Global Justice Understanding Criminal Justice Comparatively Doing Criminal Justice Differently: Policing Part 1 Prosecution, Courts, and Youth Justice in Comparative Context Punishment and penal policy across the globe Victims, victimisation, and criminal justice The purpose of criminal justice – nationally and internationally Exceptional Times? Global Crimes and Forms of international criminal justice – Terrorism/State Crime
Alternative forms of justice – Restorative Justice and Truths Commissions

Assessment Strategy

50-59% / C- to C+ -threshold -Students should be able to describe and understand the substantive topic/s and present written work that is generally comprehensible and focuses on the question asked.

60-69% B- to B+ -good -Students should be able to explain with accuracy and critically appreciate the appropriate theoretical and empirical issues of the substantive topic/s and locate these within a wider social and political context; show evidence of understanding of a range of complex material and summarise arguments with accuracy.

70% + / A- to A* -excellent -Students should be able to engage in critical analysis of a wide and complex range of material and summarise the arguments with accuracy; relate an understanding of key concepts to perspectives within and beyond the discipline of criminology and criminal justice; present written work of a high level of accuracy and fluency.

Learning Outcomes

• Assess different forms of international criminal justice with an emphasis on the practices of, and debates surrounding, the International Criminal Court.

• Be conversant with methodological issues faced when researching transnational criminology;

• Display understanding and practical skill in applying comparative analysis to the study of transnational crime.

• Evaluate different prosecution and court practices in different nations.

• Evaluate the impact of victimology on contemporary forms of criminal justice.

• Examine different terrorist and organised crime groups

• Examine in detail selected cases of transnational crime and relating criminological and/or criminal justice research;

• Gain a systematic and critical understanding of comparative research and its limitations.

• Gain a systematic and critical understanding of different national and cultural practices in relation to sentencing and penal policy.