Students

PICT3001 – Transnational Crime

2024 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lara Palombo
Contact via email
Wednesday 13-14
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 2000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
PICT2020 or PICT202 or SOCI3085 or SOC311
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the analytical and policy challenges posed by transnational organised crime. Few have benefited as greatly from globalisation as criminal organisations, which today present existential challenges in many regions of the world. Students will undertake an advanced analysis of a variety of transnational criminal issues, including drug trafficking, people smuggling, money laundering and the regional implications of civil wars and insurgencies. Different types of transnational criminal organisations will be explored. Students enrolled in this unit will also examine state and international responses to these complex criminal activities.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify and synthesise issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology.
  • ULO2: Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology.
  • ULO3: Evaluate and assess existing government policy (local and foreign) regarding a topic of global and strategic significance.
  • ULO4: Propose and effectively communicate alternative policy responses to topics of global and strategic significance in the field of transnational crime.

General Assessment Information

Quiz 1

Due: Friday of Week 8 - before 11:55 pm Weighting: 25%

The online quiz will include questions from the readings of weeks 1 to 7.

You will have one hour to complete the quiz.

The quiz will open on Friday of Week 8 at 07:00 AM and close at 11:55 PM.

You only get one shot at it.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and synthesise global and strategic issues drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology

Quiz 2

Due: The Friday of Week 12  - before 11:55 pm Weighting: 25%

The online quiz will include questions from the readings of weeks 8 to 11.

You will have one hour to complete the quiz.

The quiz will open on Friday of Week 12 at 07:00 AM and close at 11:55 PM.

You only get one shot at it.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and synthesise global and strategic issues drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology

Transnational Crime Portfolio

Due: The Friday of Week 12 - before 11:55 pm Weighting: 40%

Refer to the Assessment tab for detailed instructions.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and synthesise global and strategic issues drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology

Unit participation

Due: Throughout semester Weighting: 10%

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

  • Evaluate and assess existing government policy (local and foreign) regarding a topic of global and strategic significance
  • Propose and effectively communicate an alternative policy response to a topic of global and strategic significance             

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quiz for weeks 1-7 25% No Friday Week 8
Participation 10% No Week 13
Quiz for weeks 8-12 25% No Friday Week 12
Transnational Crime Portfolio 40% No Friday Week 12

Quiz for weeks 1-7

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Friday Week 8
Weighting: 25%

 

Students must answer an online quiz about the readings for weeks 1 to 7.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and synthesise issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology.
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology.
  • Evaluate and assess existing government policy (local and foreign) regarding a topic of global and strategic significance.
  • Propose and effectively communicate alternative policy responses to topics of global and strategic significance in the field of transnational crime.

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

 

Students must engage constructively in online discussions.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and synthesise issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology.
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology.
  • Evaluate and assess existing government policy (local and foreign) regarding a topic of global and strategic significance.
  • Propose and effectively communicate alternative policy responses to topics of global and strategic significance in the field of transnational crime.

Quiz for weeks 8-12

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Friday Week 12
Weighting: 25%

 

Students must answer an online quiz about the readings for weeks 8 to 12.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and synthesise issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology.
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology.
  • Propose and effectively communicate alternative policy responses to topics of global and strategic significance in the field of transnational crime.

Transnational Crime Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Friday Week 12
Weighting: 40%

 

From week 2 students will collate news reports of transnational crime in national and local media. These will be put together in a portfolio (can be a Word document). Due on friday of week 12, the students will submit their portfolio and provide a 1,000 word text of their findings and how they relate to topics covered.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and synthesise issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and sociology.
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature in criminology.
  • Evaluate and assess existing government policy (local and foreign) regarding a topic of global and strategic significance.
  • Propose and effectively communicate alternative policy responses to topics of global and strategic significance in the field of transnational crime.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures before the seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to contribute significantly to online activities.
  • In most cases, students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks to pass the unit.

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for this unit's required readings are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the Internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as an MS Word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessments (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc.). Late submission of time-sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc.) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure. If the number of words deviates from the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words deviation from the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
  • In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2024.01 of the Handbook