ACR314 - Organised Crime
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: David Bright |
| Prerequisite: | Students must complete unit ACR101, ACR102, ACR201 and ACR202 and 4 credit points at level 2 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour lecture per week 1 x 1 hour seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit will provide a critical overview of organised crime, organised criminal groups and illicit markets including the intersections across these three constructs. The unit will take an international perspective and will focus on key issues within the field of transnational organised crime. First, the unit will encourage students to problematise definitions of organised crime and organised criminal groups drawing on relevant literature. Second, students will review and critique relevant theories applicable to organised crime. Third, students will apply key concepts, definition, theory and empirical research to different types of transnational organised criminal activities and organised criminal groups. Fourth, students will engage in critical thinking and scholarship with respect to contemporary international challenges related to organised crime and the efficacy of policy and policing interventions.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Critically analyse and evaluate definitions, concepts and frameworks used to understand organised crime and organised criminal groups drawing on relevant literature. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital Literacy GLO4: Critical Thinking |
| ULO2 | Apply key concepts, definitions, theories, and empirical research to analyse transnational organised criminal activities and organised criminal groups and develop evidence-based strategies to address these challenges. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital Literacy GLO4: Critical Thinking |
| ULO3 | Critically engage with existing scholarship with respect to contemporary international challenges related to organised crime and the efficacy of policy and policing interventions. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital Literacy GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem Solving |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student Output | Grading and Weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative Due Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Policy Position Paper | 1000 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2:
| Part A: 15 minute Presentation | 40% Part A: 30% | Week 7 |
| Assessment 3: Intelligence report | 2500 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.