MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: UPHPJF-30-3 Title: Crime in America: Organisation and Control, 1865-Present

Version: 4

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: History

Faculty Committee approval: QSC, Chair’s Action Date: 16th July 2009

Approved for Delivery by:

(indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them)

Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA(Hons)

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Entry requirements:

(if the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements)

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

Having successfully completed the module students should be able to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of the dynamics and control of organised crime in America (assessed through all components of assessment);

2. an appreciation of the inter-relationship of political, social, economic, cultural and international factors in the analysis of crime (assessed through all components of assessment);

3. that they have developed their ability to read secondary sources and view filmed representations critically (assessed through all components of assessment);

4. the ability to use appropriate evidence to support conclusions and to communicate thinking on the issues raised during the module in a variety of ways:

    a) orally during assessed seminars (assessment Component B, Element 1);

    b) in writing under controlled conditions (assessment Component A, Element 1);

    c) in writing under uncontrolled conditions (assessment Component B, Element 2).

Syllabus outline:

The course starts with an introduction to theories and interpretations of organised crime and then examines a number of relevant themes and events including:

1) Reconstruction and white supremacy, 1865-1900

2) Late 19th century industrialists: pioneers or plunderers?

3) Progressivism and the search for order, 1900-1920

4) Prohibition era crime, 1920-1933

5) A New Deal for crime?

6) White collar criminality

7) Theories of conspiracy, 1945-1970

8) Richard Nixon and the politics of crime, 1968-1975

9) The Reagan era 'wars' against drugs and organised crime

10) Transnational crime and policing

Teaching and learning methods:

Lectures: to introduce contextual framework and different theories of organised crime

Assessed seminars: to provide students with an opportunity to take an active part in determining their learning and to share ideas and insights with others

Indicative Reading List:

J. Albanese,

Organized Crime in America, (Cincinnati, Anderson, 1989).

P. Boyer,

Urban Masses and Moral Order in America, 1820-1920, (Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press, 1978).

J. Coleman,

The Criminal Elite: The Sociology of White Collar Crime, (New York, St Martin's Press, 1989).

D. Musto,

The American Disease: Origins of Narcotic Control, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1987).

E. Nadlemann,

Cops Across Borders, (University Park, PA., Penn State Press, 1993).

F. Pearce and M. Woodiwiss (eds),

Global Crime Connections: Dynamics and Control, (Basingstoke, Macmillan, 1993).

J. Reiman,

The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison: Ideology, Class and Criminal Justice, (New York, Macmillan, 1990).

R. Schoenberg,

Mr Capone, (New York, William Morrow, 1992).

E. Sutherland,

White Collar Crime, (Newhaven, Yale University Press, 1983).

W. Wade,

The Fiery Cross: The Ku Klux Klan in America, (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987).

M. Woodiwiss,

Organized Crime and American Power, (Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2001).

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Exam (3 hours) 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Assessed seminar and written report (2500 words) 25%

2. Essay (2500 words) 25%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Exam (3 hours) 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Essay (2000 words) 25%

2. Essay (2000 words) 25%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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