Students

PICT8062 – The Crimes of the Powerful

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor and Lecturer
Lara Palombo
Contact via Email
B312 Level 3, 25 WW
Tuesday 3 p.m. Please email me to let me know you are coming.
Lecturer
Emily Cachia
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCrim or MCyberSec or MCTerrorism or GradCertSecStudCr or GradDipSecStudCr or MPICT or GradDipPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MTransInterMIntRel or MCPICT or MCPICTMISS or GradDipCPICT or GradCertCPICT or GradCertISS or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or admission to BSecStudMCTerrorism or BSecStudMCrim or BSecStudMCyberSecAnalysis or BSecStudMIntell or BSecStudMSecStrategicStud or (10cps at 6000 level or 10cps at 8000 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines crimes committed by powerful individuals and institutions: white collar crimes, corporate crimes and state crimes. From the Nazi death camps of WWII, to the Bhopal and BHP Gulf oil spill environmental disasters of more recent decades, the most harmful crimes are not those committed by offenders on the 'street', but rather by individuals and organisations occupying the most influential and privileged positions in our societies. This unit reorients the criminological gaze upwards, away from traditional street offenders and towards the most powerful criminals who occupy corporate boardrooms, parliaments and military organisations. Students will explore contemporary examples of each of these types of offence, examine the characteristics of powerful offenders, and address why crimes of this magnitude often go unaddressed by both contemporary criminologists and our systems of criminal justice.

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: Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, corporate, and State criminality.
  • ULO2: Evaluate the role of corporate and State criminality in the context of the social and political life.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of the forms of individual business or corporate and/or State crime, including such forms of financial crime, fraud, genocide and corruption.
  • ULO4: Outline the challenges involved in regulating, prosecuting and punishing these crimes from a global and local perspective.
  • ULO5: Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.

General Assessment Information

Quiz 1: Mid-semester quiz (online)

Due Week 7  Weighting 25%

  • This quiz will include questions on the readings and lectures from weeks 1-7
  • The quiz opens Monday 8 September (week 7) @ 9:00 AM and closes Friday 12 Sept. (week 7) @ 11:55 PM.
  • Students will have 1.5 hours to answer the quiz.
  • Students will only have one attempt at the quiz.

 

Quiz 2: End-of-semester quiz (online)

Due: Week 13 Weighting: 25%

  • This quiz will include questions on the readings and lectures from weeks 8-13.
  • The quiz opens Monday 3 November (Week 13) @ 9:00 AM and closes Friday 7 November (Week 13) @ 11:55 PM.
  • Students will have 1.5 hours to answer the quiz.
  • Students will have one attempt at the quiz.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, corporate, and State criminality.
  • Have an appreciation of the role of corporate and State criminality in the context of social and political life.
  • Have an understanding of the forms of an individual business or corporate and/or State crime, including financial crime, fraud, genocide and corruption.
  • Be familiar with the challenges of regulating, prosecuting and punishing these crimes from a global and local perspective.

 

Final Essay:  Due: Friday  31 October (Week 12)  Weighting: 50%

Select a case of corporate or state crime that aligns with one of the weekly topics explored in the unit (e.g. dictatorship, environmental crime, corruption, genocide, white collar crime, colonialism etc..). In a 2,500-word essay, illustrate and discuss the theoretical and empirical issues covered in the unit by critically analysing your chosen case.

Marking Criteria:el

  • Argument & Structure (ULO 1 & 2)
  • Critical Analysis (ULO 1, 2 & 4)
  • Empirical and Theoretical Knowldge (ULO 3 & 4)
  • Use of Evidence and Research (ULO 3)
  • Writing & Referencing (ULO 5)

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS 

All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm.  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.  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid-Semester quiz 25% No 12/09/2025
Final Essay 50% No 31/10/2025
End of semester quiz 25% No 07/11/2025

Mid-Semester quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 19 hours
Due: 12/09/2025
Weighting: 25%

 

A quiz with questions from the readings of weeks 1-7

Due Friday of week 7

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, corporate, and State criminality.
  • Evaluate the role of corporate and State criminality in the context of the social and political life.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the forms of individual business or corporate and/or State crime, including such forms of financial crime, fraud, genocide and corruption.
  • Outline the challenges involved in regulating, prosecuting and punishing these crimes from a global and local perspective.
  • Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.

Final Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 31/10/2025
Weighting: 50%

 

Students will submit a 2,500 word essay. They choose a case of corporate or state crime and use it to illustrate and discuss the theoretical and empirical issues discussed in the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, corporate, and State criminality.
  • Evaluate the role of corporate and State criminality in the context of the social and political life.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the forms of individual business or corporate and/or State crime, including such forms of financial crime, fraud, genocide and corruption.
  • Outline the challenges involved in regulating, prosecuting and punishing these crimes from a global and local perspective.
  • Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.

End of semester quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 19 hours
Due: 07/11/2025
Weighting: 25%

 

A quiz with questions on the readings of weeks 8-13.

Due Friday of week 13.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems of definition of the various forms of business, corporate, and State criminality.
  • Evaluate the role of corporate and State criminality in the context of the social and political life.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the forms of individual business or corporate and/or State crime, including such forms of financial crime, fraud, genocide and corruption.
  • Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.

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

Internal students are expected to attend all 2 hour seminar sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.  In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit. 

REQUIRED READINGS 

The citations for all the required readings for this unit 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 via Leganto. 

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 a MS word document. 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 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. 

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (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 Final Grade Appeal procedure as part of the Assessment policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=277 In accordance with the Grade Appeal procedure, 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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 2025.04 of the Handbook