Outline

Overview

The unit serves as a rigorous investigation of the politics of violent and criminal non-state actors. It will start with a conceptual discussion of such groups, focusing on analysis of their structure and behaviour and the roles that globalisation and technology play in non-state threats, before moving on to specific types of dark networks. The dark networks that may be covered include terrorist organisations, non-state nuclear proliferation networks, and various forms of organised crime, including maritime piracy, drug trafficking, mafias, mundane smuggling, and money laundering.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Politics or 12 credit points at 2000 level in International Relations or 12 senior credit points from Government and International Relations
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Madison Cartwright, madison.cartwright@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Tutorial participation n/a	10%	Ongoing	Whole semester.
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Mid-semester quiz n/a	25%	Week 07 Due date: 20 Apr 2021 at 10:00	1 hr
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Briefing paper n/a	40%	Week 11 Due date: 18 May 2021 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Final online quiz n/a	25%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Jun 2021 at 10:00	1 hr
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is terrorism?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Network analysis and dark networks	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Dark networks, society and the state	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Why do people become terrorists?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Islamism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Lone actor terrorism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Mid-semester exam/Slavery and human trafficking	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Maritime piracy	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Illicit financing	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Drug trafficking	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Mafias	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Nuclear trafficking	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Final Exam	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Week 1: Introduction

Week 2: What is Terrorism?

Anthony Richards, Conceptualising Terrorism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015), Chapter 4, pp. 51 – 66;
Robert Pape, ‘The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism’, American Political Science Review, 97, no. 3 (2003), pp. 343 – 361;
Weinberg, L., Pedahzur, A., & Hirsch-Hoefler, S. (2004). The challenges of conceptualizing terrorism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 16(4), 777-794.

Week 3: Network Analysis and Dark Networks

Calvert Jones and Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, ‘Assessing the Dangers of Illicit Networks: Why al-Qaida May Be Less Dangerous Than Many Think’, International Security, 33, no. 2 (2008), pp. 7 – 44;
Miles Kahler, ‘Collective Action and Clandestine Networks: The Case of al Qaeda’ in Miles Kahler, ed., Networked Politics: Agency, Power, and Governance (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2015), Chapter 6, pp. 103 – 124; electronic copy;
David Bright, Chad Whelan & Shandon Harris-Hogan (2020) On the Durability of Terrorist Networks: Revealing the Hidden Connections between Jihadist Cells, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 43:7, 638-656, DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2018.1494411

Week 4: Dark networks, society and the state

Kimberly Marten, Warlords: Strong-arm Brokers in Weak States (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2012), Chapter 3, pp. 31 – 63.
Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism (New York: Columbia University Press, 2006), Chapter 6, pp. 173 – 196;
Mia Bloom, ‘Palestinian Suicide Bombing: Public Support, Market Share and Outbidding’, Political Science Quarterly, 119, no. 1 (2004), pp. 61 – 88;

Week 5: Why do people become terrorists?

Edward Newman, ‘Exploring the “Root Causes” of Terrorism’, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 29, no. 8 (2006), pp. 749 – 772;
Süleyman Özeren, Murat Sever, Kamil Yilmaz & Alper Sözer (2014) Whom Do They Recruit?: Profiling and Recruitment in the PKK/KCK, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 37:4, 322-347,
Thomas Hegghammer, ‘The Recruiter’s Dilemma: Signalling and Rebel Recruitment tactics’, Journal of Peace Research, 50, no. 1 (2012), pp. 3 – 16;

Week 6: Islamism

Brett, D. (2017). Evolution and Rise of Contemporary Jihadism: From the Muslim Brotherhood to IS. In Terrorism Revisited (pp. 83-108). Springer, Cham.
Bassam Tibi, Islamism and Islam (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012), Chapter 2, pp. 31 – 53;

Week 7: ‘Lone Actor terrorism

David C. Hofmann (2020) How “Alone” are Lone-Actors? Exploring the Ideological, Signaling, and Support Networks of Lone-Actor Terrorists, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 43:7, 657-678, DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2018.1493833
Bart Schuurman, Lasse Lindekilde, Stefan Malthaner, Francis O'Connor, Paul Gill & Noémie Bouhana (2019) End of the Lone Wolf: The Typology that Should Not Have Been, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 42:8, 771-778, DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2017.1419554
Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch

masjidain on 15 March 2019 (2020) Volume Two: The Terrorist (pp. 165-171; 188-196, 231-234).

Week 8: Slavery and Human Trafficking

Mende, J. (2019). The concept of modern slavery: Definition, critique, and the human rights frame. Human Rights Review, 20(2), 229-248.
Justine Nolan & Gregory Bott (2018) Global supply chains and human rights: spotlight on forced labour and modern slavery practices, Australian Journal of Human Rights, 24:1, 44-69

Week 9: Maritime Piracy

Justin Hastings and Sarah Phillips, ‘Maritime Piracy Business Networks and Institutions in Africa’, African Affairs, 114, no. 457 (2015), pp. 555 – 576.
Sarah Percy and Anja Shortland, ‘The Business of Piracy in Somalia’, Journal of Strategic Studies 36, no. 4 (2013), pp. 541 –578.

Week 10: Illicit Financing

Susan Rose-Ackerman and Bonnie J. Palifka (2018), ‘Corruption, Organised Crime and Money Laundering’, in Kaushik Basu and Tito Cordella, eds., Institutions, Governance and the Control of Corruption (Cham: Springer International Publishing), Chapter 4, pp. 75 – 111;
Teichmann, F. M. J. (2017). Twelve methods of money laundering. Journal of money laundering control, 20:2, pp. 130-137.
Templon, J., et. al. (2020) ‘How To Find A Company That Barely Even Exists’, Buzzfeed News, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/johntemplon/singapore-shell-company-funneled-millions-banks
Leopold, J., et. al. (2020), ‘The FinCEN Files’, Buzzfeed News, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/fincen-files-financial-scandal-criminal-networks

Week 11: Drug Trafficking

Bichler, G., Malm, A., & Cooper, T. (2017). Drug supply networks: a systematic review of the organizational structure of illicit drug trade. Crime Science, 6(1), 2.
Justin V. Hastings, ‘The Economic Geography of North Korean Drug Trafficking Networks’, Review of International Political Economy, 22, no. 1 (2015), pp. 162 – 193.

Week 12: Mafias

Francesco Calderoni, ‘The Structure of Drug Trafficking Mafias: The ‘Ndrangheta and Cocaine’, Crime, Law, and Social Change, 58, no. 3 (2012), pp. 321 – 349.
Ming Xia, ‘Organizational Formations of organised crime in China: Perspectives from the state, markets and networks’, Journal of Contemporary China, 17, no. 54 (2008), pp. 1 – 23.

Week 13: Nuclear Trafficking

Justin V. Hastings, ‘The Geography of Nuclear Proliferation Networks: The Case of AQ Khan’, The Non-Proliferation Review, 19, no. 3 (2012), pp. 429 – 450.
Balatsky, G. I., & Severe, W. R. (2019). Illicit Trafficking of Radioactive and Nuclear Materials. In Nuclear Safeguards, Security, and Nonproliferation (pp. 357-387). Butterworth-Heinemann.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate a clear understanding of the theoretical and analytical approaches used in the study of violent and criminal non-state actors
LO2. delineate between the different problems associated with dark networks from an applied analysis of general trends of globalisation and technology
LO3. assess cogently and concisely the structure, behaviour, and threats posed by dark networks.
LO4. understand how academic concepts can provide insight into pressing global issues

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GOVT3999: Terrorism and Organised Crime

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect