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POL30890

Academic Year 2025/2026

The Politics of Organised Crime (POL30890)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Lucia Tiscornia
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is an introduction to political, economic, and social issues linked to the emergence and behavior of criminal organizations. We will analyze criminal organizations from across the world, reflecting on how they come about, how they affect life around them, and what governments have done to minimize their threat. Over the course of the term we will answer questions like: What is organized crime? Why does organized crime emerge? What are its consequences? We will read and discuss theories of organized crime, as well as empirical studies about its causes and consequences. We will learn about the domestic and transnational dimensions of organized crime using a combination of sources, including academic papers, movies, podcasts, and newspaper articles. The module is run as a seminar, which means it is discussion based.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
• Describe what organized crime is and why it emerges;
• Compare and contrast the main arguments for why and when organized crime emerges;
• Analyze the behavior and evolution of organized crime according to different theories;
• Critically assess the consequences of organized crime behavior as well as some of the existing responses

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Through the use of class discussions, individual and group assignments we will think through how academic research as well as journalists’ accounts and other sources of information can help us learn about the proliferation of violent organizations in the world. Students are expected to come to class prepared to engage in active discussion, specifically they need to engage with the readings and class materials prior to each session, and allocate an important portion of their time to complete assessment work outside class hours.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Basic knowledge of theories and concepts in politics is a plus, but not required.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Group Work Assignment: In groups, students work on a creation that is linked to the topic of the module, and present it to the class. As part of this assignment students turn in a series of reports to document progress. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Class is driven by group discussion. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Weekly written responses Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Short response based on a film. Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to students within 20 working days of the deadline for the assignment in accordance with university policy.

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