Curricular Unit:			Code:
Organized Crime			780CORG
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Undergraduate	Criminology	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
a)gain knowledge and improve understanding skills: Understand the main criminological theories that sustain the controversy about the definition of organised crime; b) apply knowledge to practical situations: To know the specificity involved in the processes of production of useful knowledge in this area; c) select the relevant content to approach specific situation: Comprehend the difficulties and limitations of conducting empirical research in the field of organized crime; d) strengthen oral and written communication skills and develop a critical judgment: Build a critical perspective that embraces the heterogeneity of organized crime, in terms of its territorial, organisational and structural characteristics.
Syllabus:
I – Conceptual framework Theoretical contributes to the understanding of the concept of organised crime. 1. The analyses of the concept of organised crime through criminological perspective 1.1 The definitions offered by the scientific community: inputs and limitations 1.2 The organised crime as a criminological object and how can we build knowledge on organised crime II – Organised crime and the law 1. Portuguese law on organised crime 2. Comparative law and organised crime 1.1 The origins of the organised crime concept. III - Organized crime patterns 1. Case studies: Analysis of traditional and contemporary criminal organizations and its territorial, organizational and structural patterns: 1.1 Organised crime in Italy. 1.2 Organised crime in Japan. 1.3 Organised crime in China. 1.4 Organised crime in Russia. 1.5 Organised crime in the Balkans. 1.6 Organised crime in Portugal.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
Students will be able to understand the efforts made by the Scientific Community in order to circumscribe “organized crime” as a scientific object, as well as to accompany the evolution of the criminological theories about organized criminality. For this purpose, they will study several theoretical contributes to the understanding of the concept of organised crime. Further, this course envisages a profound and critical study of the patterns of organized criminality, emphasizing the idiosyncrasies and difficulties of conducting empirical research in an extremely sensitive and difficult context, the subjects discussed throughout the semester will allow students to understand this trough the analyses of specific case studies (organized crime in in Italy, Japan, China, Russia, Balkans and Portugal).
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Theoretical-practical classes - Oral presentation of contents; exercises collection of bibliography through the databases subscribed by the University; group discussions to analyze UC themes. The UC administration combines traditional teaching methodologies - content exposure, in a practical aspect (eg exploration of databases on crime in real time; use of viewing videos / documentaries) with the implementation of collaborative activities with students (debates, case studies), application of knowledge, and data analysis exercises so that students acquire the ability to collect, analyze and interpret, with autonomy data on organized crime. The assessment includes a formative aspect (feedback that is given to students on their performance in practical exercises); summative - face-to-face through two written tests. Two Written Tests 80%; - Group work and participation: 20%;
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
Theoretical-practical methodology that combine a structured and articulated presentation of the themes included in the syllabus with group discussions (programmed beforehand) among students, so that students can develop their argumentative and critic competences/abilities supported by the readings of the material included in the bibliography.
Reading:
Alexandre, C. & Balsa J. (2017). Um Sistema Multiagente no Combate ao Branqueamento de Capitais http://dx.doi.org/10.17013/risti.25.1-17 Fielding, N. (2017). The shaping of covert social networks: isolating the effects of secrecy. Trends in Organized Crime, 16-30. Hagan, F. (2006). "Organized crime" and "organized crime": indeterminate problems of definition. doi:10.1007/s12117-006-1017-4 Le Blanc, M., Ouimet, M. & Szabo, D. (2008). Tratado de Criminologia Empírica ISBN 978-972-796-293-8 Maia, A. (2015). A corrupção em Portugal – abordagens distintas e um mesmo objeto. Média & Jornalismo, 14 (26), pp. 12-43. KempSanaz, K., Zolghadriha, S, Gill P. (2020). Pathways into organized crime: comparing founders and joiners. Trends in Organized Crime, 23(3), pp.203-226. Paoli, L. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Organized Crime ISBN 019973044X