Students

CRIM2002 – Transnational Crime

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
Room B312, Level 3, 25B Wally's Walk.
Tuesday 3 p.m. Please email me to let me know you are coming.
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40 credit points at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The spread of transnational crime is one of the most significant challenges facing governments around the world today. For all its benefits, globalisation has opened new avenues for criminal enterprise to expand across traditional domestic borders, creating new challenges for global security, risk governance and crime control. Traditionally crime has tended to be - and largely still is - viewed as a security concern within nation states. By contrast, this unit examines how crime has evolved through the globalising process, creating global and regional instability. Moreover, many state responses to crime, such as illicit drugs, wholly fail to address to systemic, global networks that underpin the trade. Across this unit, students will evaluate a variety of transnational criminal issues, from drug trafficking to people smuggling, money laundering to counterfeiting, and will examine the regional implications of for national and transnational security. In many instances, as students will discover, underpinning civil conflict and terrorist organisations are crime networks. Engaging with these debates will enable students to think beyond traditional, state-based crime, and better understand the global challenges and preventative strategies required to combat transnational crime.

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 communicate issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and the social sciences.
  • ULO2: Assemble and critique scholarly literature relating to concerns of transnational crime, security and governance.
  • ULO3: Evaluate policy responses to trends in transnational crime.
  • ULO4: Identify the impact of transnational crime on global security, ecological sustainability, and justice.

General Assessment Information

Assessment 1- Policy Brief (1,000 words) Due in week 7 in Turnitin. 

Purpose: Students will investigate a specific form of transnational crime or harm introduced in the unit and write a formal policy brief that outlines actionable solutions framed around human rights protection, prevention strategies, and ethical enforcement practices. 

Marking Criteria 

  • Understanding of Transnational Crime or Harm (ULO 1)
  • Human Rights Integration (ULO 1 & 3)
  • Policy Analysis & Evaluation (ULO 3 & 2)
  • Recommendations (ULO 2 & 4)
  • Structure, Style (ULO 4) 
  • Sources and Referencing (ULO 2)

Assessment 2- Portfolio. Due in week 12 in Turnitin

1-System Mapping (40%): Students will investigate a specific form of transnational crime and produce a systems map that visually represents its international complexity, including actors, institutions, legal frameworks, and movement across borders. Accompanying the map, students will submit a 1,000-word annotated bibliography that supports the design and interpretation of their map.

2- BAnnotated Bibliography (20%): Students to complete a 1,000 word annotated bibliography to support their systems map based on unit readings and further research.

Marking Criteria: 

Systems map

  • Map Clarity and Structure (ULO 1 & 4)
  • Depth of Systems Representaiton (ULO 1 & 3)
  • Integradted knowldge application  (ULO 1)
  • Creativity and Relevance (ULO 4)

Annotated Bibliography

  • Sources Relevance (ULO 2)
  • Summary and Critical Reflection (ULO 2 & 3)
  • Integration with Map (ULO 1 & 3))
  • Citation, Presentation and Writing (ULO 2)

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS 

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. via Turnitin. 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.   
  • 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
Policy brief 40% No 09/09/2025
Systems map 40% No 31/10/2025
Annotated bibliography 20% No 31/10/2025

Policy brief

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 09/09/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will write a 1,000 word policy brief on a matter relating to transnational crime.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and communicate issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and the social sciences.
  • Evaluate policy responses to trends in transnational crime.
  • Identify the impact of transnational crime on global security, ecological sustainability, and justice.

Systems map

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 31/10/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will create a systems map that charts the transnational nature of a specific crime concern. Supporting this map will be a 1,000 word annotated bibliography.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and communicate issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and the social sciences.
  • Evaluate policy responses to trends in transnational crime.
  • Identify the impact of transnational crime on global security, ecological sustainability, and justice.

Annotated bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 31/10/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

Students to complete a 1,000 word annotated bibliography to support their systems map.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and communicate issues related to transnational crime drawing on knowledge from criminology, law and the social sciences.
  • Assemble and critique scholarly literature relating to concerns of transnational crime, security and governance.

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 tutorial 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 by other means. 

We also using podcasts of interviews with selected authors of required weekly readings. 

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 2025.05 of the Handbook