Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Law School
In this course students undertake directed study on selected issues on topics relating to transnational organised crime, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and related offences. Students gain a general understanding of the pattern of, and the policies and laws relating to transnational organised crime, liaise with key stakeholders in the field, and have an opportunity to present their research findings to an academic audience and publish their written material. The course is also designed for students to conduct independent, guided research in an international context and to equip students with advanced research, communication, presentation, writing and team-work skills, specifically in this field of study.
In this course, students undertake directed research on selected topics relating to transnational organised crime. In 2024–25 the focus is on organised crime and trafficking in cultural artefacts and antiquities. This course is offered jointly with the University of Vienna, the University of Zurich, the University of Ferrara, and the University of Ferrara.
The course is designed for students to conduct independent, guided research in an international context and to equip students with advanced research, communication, presentation, writing and team-work skills, specifically in this field of study. Students in this course gain a general understanding of the criminology, policies, and laws relating to this topic, liaise with key stakeholders in the field, and have an opportunity to present their research findings to an academic audience and publish their written material. The course involves academic classes and training in-person on campus, online, and joint teaching week with the collaborating universities which will take place in Ferrara, Italy, in February 2025.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(LAWS1700 + 2708) or (LAWS1700 + 2700 + 2701) or (LAWS2113 + 2114) and permission from the Head of School
Restrictions
LLB(Hons)(#64), LLB(Hons)(#48), LLB(Hons)#64 duals, LLB, LLB duals and LLB (Graduate Entry) programs.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate lecturer
Honorary Professor Susanne Reindl-Krauskopf
Timetable
Additional timetable information
See the complete syllabus for all relevant dates and deadlines.
Aims and outcomes
The joint Transnational Organised Crime program at the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia), the University of Vienna (Austria), and the University of Zurich (Switzerland)ﾠinvolves an international network of emerging and established scholars working within a structured research and learning framework to produce high quality research outcomes on a topic of current, international concern.ﾠﾠThe research is coordinated by professorial, mid-level and junior academic staff who guide and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students who are engaged in research-based learning for academic credit. In 2022-2023, the University of Cologne (Germany) and the University of Ferrara (Italy) participate as guest partners in this program.
The objectives of this initiative are to:
- Foster international research and learning cooperation and build strategic partnerships;
- Produce research outcomes (including presentations, books, articles, and websites) on topics of contemporary significance relating to transnational organised crime in the fields of criminal law, criminology, criminal procedure, international criminal law, and associated fields;
- Train undergraduate and postgraduate students in presentation skills, research techniques, academic writing and publication in their field of study;ﾠ
- Build linkages between undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students and academic staff, both locally and internationally, and create a continuing network of emerging and established scholars;
- Develop a recognised research capacity and an environment suitable for competitive grant applications and industry linkages;ﾠ
- Promote higher research degrees; and
- Enhance the undergraduate and postgraduate student learning experience.
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
demonstrate a general understanding of the topics of organised crime, gambling, and criminal law;
LO2.
demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of relevant source material, including relevant legislation, case law, government documents, and scholarly writing;
LO3.
understand relevant government policies in this field and in related areas;
LO4.
understand and appreciate the situation, needs, and rights of victims, offenders, witnesses, and those involved in the criminal justice process;
LO5.
conceptualise and independently carry out a research project;
LO6.
identify and structure relevant issues and present them logically;
LO7.
independently research, identify, and locate relevant information and literature of the highest quality;
LO8.
present and communicate research outcomes to an academic audience;
LO9.
develop alternative strategies and recommendations for law reform and policy change;
LO10.
discuss topical issues in an open forum; and
LO11.
communicate clearly and efficiently in a research paper.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Presentation
|
40% |
Students present their research findings in the main teaching week from 10 to 14 February 2025. Student-specific presentation dates and times are set out in the course profile (syllabus) available on the online learning platform. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Paper
|
60% |
6/05/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Presentation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
Students present their research findings in the main teaching week from 10 to 14 February 2025. Student-specific presentation dates and times are set out in the course profile (syllabus) available on the online learning platform.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10
Task description
All students must work on a designated research topic and present their research findings in class. Each topic will be assigned a specific presentation date and time; these are not negotiable.
Students present their projects in a 20 minute presentation, followed by 20 minutes of discussion and 10 minutes of feedback. The examiners will keep a written record of the presentation and also request presenters to submit their slides.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
Submission guidelines
Students are require to submit a copy of the slides used in their presentation to the course-coordinator prior to the presentation.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Research Paper
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
6/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L11
Task description
Each student must submit an individual, written report of his/her research topic (fully footnoted and referenced according to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (University of Melbourne, 4th edition). All papers must have an introduction, conclusion and a bibliography. The word limit for the papers is 7000 words (for UQ students). The assessment is, however, based on quality, not quantity.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
Submission guidelines
Assignments must be submitted electronically in Word format via the submissions folder on the online learning platform.
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.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
Where an extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered is available, any extension is limited to one week (7 days). In exceptional circumstances, extensions may be granted for more than one week, but in no case will an extension exceed four weeks (28 days) in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure .
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
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.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 47 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 48 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Each student will also act as the discussant of another student’s research project.ﾠ The role of the discussant is to offer support and feedback and provide some peer review of draft research papers. The discussant will provide oral feedback on the presentation of the research project and provide written feedback on a draft of the research paper. Discussants will be assigned after the planning meeting.
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.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (10 Feb - 16 Feb) |
Seminar |
Presentations and Discussion Day #1: Introduction; concepts and definitions Day #2: Places of origin and destinations, players and perpetrators Day #3: International legal frameworks Day #4: Domestic laws Day #5: Investigation, confiscation, and restitution; prevention Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
Week 3 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Debrief and reflection Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L11 |
Week 7 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Academic writing, critical engagement with literat Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L11 |
Week 8 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Conclusion and recommendations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L11 |
Week 11 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Final review Learning outcomes: L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Additional learning activity information
See syllabus on the online learning platform for full details.
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: