Criminology and Global Security (CRIM2080)

Course overview

This course will examine a number of current and emerging threats that challenge the global security of nation states. Topics to be examined include global security threats arising from terrorism, extreme environmental events, organised crime and cyber crime. Throughout the course these security threats will be studied in-depth through an examination of specific trends and case studies to better understand the level of risk they present to countries like Australia. Policy responses will also be canvassed with a focus on the prevention of global security threats and the regulation of processes and behaviours that give rise to them.

The causes and commission of crime are no longer limited to one's neighbourhood, community, city, or country. Threats to security are now global in orientation, with the causes and commission of criminal events challenging traditional notions of national sovereignty and state borders. From terrorism, extreme environmental events, to organised crime and cybercrime, we now face new threats, risks, and crimes from both state and non-state actors. While globalisation has generated both social and economic benefits, it has also brought changes to national security. This presents major challenges to how governments, police, the private sector, and individuals respond to global threats to security. Traditional forms of enhancing security need to be examined in the context of new forms that focus on prevention and regulation. A key aim of this course is to help students understand various threats to global security and how they can be responded to.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Course Designed for: Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science, an elective in other degrees.

Component Course for: Single and Extended Major.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

4 units of CRIM or SOCY courses

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code. 

Aims and outcomes

• Gain in-depth knowledge about global security.
• Critically analyse different threats to global security.
• Identify historical, current, and emerging trends in global security threats.
• Consider the effectiveness of policy interventions aimed at controlling threats to global security.
• Develop awareness of current policy responses and debates relating to threats to global security both in Australia and internationally.
• Understand threats to global security from a comparative and international perspective.
• Reflect on the global and local characteristics of security and risk.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Cybercrime and Organised Crime Short Answer Exercise

Mode

Written

Category

Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

50%

Due date

15/09/2025 - 17/09/2025

The assessment will be available for 48 hours before the due date. You will have the 48-hour window to complete the exercise between 2:00pm 15/09/2025 to 2:00pm 17/09/2025. You can access and submit it at any point within that timeframe. You will download the assignment from Blackboard, and then submit through Turnitin. Please see Blackboard for PDFs of both a detailed task description and marking rubric.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

As these assessments are 48-hours, please be advised that applications for extensions will be considered in line with the intended length of assessment, and so for student equity purposes may result in shorter extensions than other types of assessment.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time. 

The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ). 

A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.  

A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. 

In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process. 

Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.  

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. 

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.

Terrorism and Environmental/Geopolitical Threats Exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

50%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply. 

An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) or Extension Verification Letter (EVL) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here. 

For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

The final grade is determined by adding together the sum of the individual assessment tasks. Grades are calculated based on the marks received.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ. 

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/ 

School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments 

Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.  

Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result  

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

There is no set textbook for this course.

This course does not use the Talis Aspire system. A reading list will be available on Blackboard. Please refer to this for all course readings.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.