Curriculum Information

The content within this module is designed to provide students with comprehension of serious, organised crime, terrorism, extremism & radicalisation.

The module will delve into both theoretical and criminological concepts equipping students with the knowledge and understanding of this complex and evolving issue. Students will explore the root causes, typologies, and responses to these activities, with a focus on the UK context.

Module Content:

Introduction to Serious, Organised, and transnational Crime:

• Definitions and distinctions between serious, organised, and transnational crime. 

• Definitions and classifications

• Historical context and evolution

• Key characteristics and elements 

• Role of the Police and other agencies (i.,e NCA).

• International cooperation in combating organised crime.

• Historical perspectives and evolution of these crimes

Serious and organised crime examples will include: 

• Money Laundering

• Fraud and Other Economic Crime

• Identify Theft

• Kidnapping

• Sexual Exploitation

• County Lines

Transnational crime examples will include:

• Modern Slavery 

• Drug trafficking

• Human trafficking

• Illegal arms trading

Terrorism:

• This module will provide a critical examination of terrorism, security, and the growing problem of ‘Extremism’

• Extremism will play a central role in the analysis of ‘response’ to the growing issue of radicalisation within the UK context.

• In the module students will examine extremism, radicalisation, grooming of venerable individuals, the expansion of far-right groups, and how the dark web and social media platforms are disseminating hate.

• Examine the ongoing debates concerning security and threat levels – what powers are in place, what impact does this have on civil liberties, human rights, the expansion of surveillance, erosion of due process and increasing legislative powers.

• Defining terrorism and its historical context, tracing its evolution, and exploring different conceptual perspectives.

• Extremism and Radicalisation: Analysing the concepts of extremism, radicalisation, and the grooming of vulnerable individuals, with a focus on UK-specific contexts.

• Far-Right Extremism: Investigating the expansion and activities of far-right extremist groups and their criminological dimensions.

• Factors Contributing to Radicalisation; Social, economic, and political factors, the role of online platforms and social media, identity and belonging, psychological aspects of radicalisation

• Radicalisation and the Criminal Justice System

• Extremist Ideologies and Movements

• Religious extremism

• Left-wing extremism

• Counterterrorism strategies and practices

• Prisons and radicalisation

• Analysing real-world case studies of terrorist, radicalisation and extremism

• Digital Dissemination of Extremism: Exploring the role of the dark web and social media platforms in the dissemination of extremist ideologies, cyberterrorism, and digital criminology concepts.

• Local, National and International Responses: Examining the security and policy responses to terrorism, extremism, and radicalisation, including their criminological and policing aspects (I,e CT Units, Government, EU, etc).

• Civil Liberties and Human Rights: examining the impact of counterterrorism measures on civil liberties, human rights, and the associated legal and ethical challenges, with a focus human rights perspective.

• Surveillance: Investigating the expansion of surveillance practices, their implications for due process.

  Theoretical Frameworks

• Criminological theories explaining the causes of serious, organised, and violent crime

• Social, psychological, environmental and circumstantial influences

• Criminological frameworks of extremism and radicalisation

Legislative and Policy Frameworks

• Key legislation in the UK related to these crimes

• The roles and responsibilities of criminal justice agencies

Impacts on Society

• The societal impact of serious, organised, and violent crime on victims, communities, and public safety

• Case studies and real-life examples

Criminal Networks and Organisations

• Analysis of criminal networks and organisations involved in serious and organised crime

• The structure and operations of criminal enterprises

Police and the CJS responses:

• Investigative techniques used by law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes

• Intelligence-led approaches, challenges, and ethical considerations

• Strategies and initiatives aimed at preventing and intervening in these crimes

International context and challenges:

• A comparative study of serious, organised, and violent crime in international contexts.

• Lessons learned from other countries.