Course Resources Archive

This module explores the problems of transnational organized crime, terrorism and conflict, the links between them and the security problems said to ensue from them.  Whilst focusing on developments at the international scale, the implications for national and local security and responses to mitigate risk are also mapped out.  Topics are delivered through interactive seminars which bring together theoretical analysis and case studies of recent and current security threats.

The module considers the various ways in which international threats to security can be analysed, via examination of three core subjects

Transnational organized crime: Transnational organised crime threatens peace and human security, violates human rights and undermines economic, social, cultural, political and civil development of societies around the world.  It is manifest in many forms, including trafficking in drugs, firearms, people and money laundering.  The module explores global patterns of organised crime and the factors underpinning its development, via case studies examining organised crime groups in selected regions and its relationship to civil society, political institutions and the legitimate economy.   Included here are assessments of policy and law-enforcement responses to organised crime operative at a variety of scales, and both their effectiveness and limitations.

International Terrorism: The threat of terrorism has attracted significant academic, political and public debate in the 21st century following a series of high profile international incidents. The module examines the extent to which terrorism and the international and State response has changed since the events of 9/11 and explores the theories of terrorism that underpin such responses.  Case studies of terrorist groups explore the relationship between terrorism and organised crime (Narco-terrorism in Latin America) and conflicts (funding links in Central Asia). This section concludes with an analysis of the effectiveness of the various State and international responses to terrorism. International security: The changing nature of authority in a global world has led to number of potential areas of conflict. The rise of governance outside of national politics and a global emphasis on neoliberal ideological structures has meant that power is increasingly held by a diverse bodies and individuals, often with few checks and balances on its use, and placing the rights of individuals second to a market driven emphasis. The module explores the implications of this for division and conflict at national, regional and global scales, and the way in which this conflict is managed by bodies such as the UN and ICC.

International security: The changing nature of authority in a global world has led to number of potential areas of conflict. The rise of governance outside of national politics and a global emphasis on neoliberal ideological structures has meant that power is increasingly held by a diverse bodies and individuals, often with few checks and balances on its use, and placing the rights of individuals second to a market driven emphasis. The module explores the implications of this for division and conflict at national, regional and global scales, and the way in which this conflict is managed by bodies such as the UN and ICC.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Reflect critically on the roles of organised crime, terrorism and conflicts as facets of contemporary globalisation;
2. Recognise the overlaps between the licit and illicit within contemporary global society, and the implications of this for security, governance and development;
3. Critically evaluate the causes of patterns of transnational organized crime around the world and responses to this;
4. Assess the ways in which security issues interact with human rights, peace and development, and analyse how the international community has responded to conflict situations;
5. Engage robustly with debates on policy and law-enforcement responses to transnational organised crime, terrorism and conflict.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.