86019 - Sociology And Politics Of Illegal Markets

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Roberto Rizza
  • Credits: 8
  • SSD: SPS/09
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Criminology for Investigation and Security (cod. 8491)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to: identify the main aspects that characterize the internal organization and the external relations of the illegal markets considered; analyze the impacts and implications of these forms of illicit trade; critically assess the different responses in terms of policies and interventions; outline a correct methodology in these research fields; propose practical tools and configurations in social planning.

Course contents

In the first phase of the course, the following concepts will be discussed:

- the distinction between formal and informal economy;

- the distinction between legal and illegal business activities.

Subsequently some specific phenomena related to illegal economy will be addressed

1. Human trafficking and severe forms of labor exploitation: trends and patterns

- definition of the phenomenon of trafficking in persons;

- different types of trafficking: forms of exploitation, profile of the victims; most affected countries;

- economic and social consequences of the phenomenon;

- human trafficking and links with transnational criminal organizations;

- responses to the phenomenon of human trafficking in terms of prevention, protection of victims and prosecution;

- definition of the phenomenon: severe forms of labor exploitation. Trends at European and national level, most involved groups of people;

- risk factors;

- prevention and momonitoring of severe forms of labor exploitation;

- access to justice for the victims.

2. Corporate crime and white-collar crime: trends and case studies

- the definition of corporate crime and some case studies;

- the definition of "white collar crime";

- studying white-collar crimes and analyzing the social costs;

- Policies against white-collar crimes.

3. The expansion of the mafias in northern Italy

- the growth of mafias in areas other than those of historical genesis;

- economic and political conditions of local societies;

- the differentiated patterns of settlement;

- infiltration in the economic network and local roots;

- antimafia policies.

Readings/Bibliography

Sciarrone R. (2014), Mafie del Nord. Strategie criminali e contesti locali, Roma Donzelli, 2014

OECD (2016), Illicit Trade. Converging Criminal Networks, Chapter 2 "Trafficking in persons: trends and patterns", Paris.

FRA (2015), Severe labour exploitation: workers moving within or into the European Union. States’ obligations and victims’ rights, Vienna.

Teaching methods

The course is divided into modules and complementary activities. Traditional lectures will be alternated with group discussions, case studies and movies aimed at deepening the topics covered in class. Presentations will be conducted by students on the topics covered in class.

Assessment methods

A written examination for the students who attend classes that is aimed at assessing the critical and methodological skills of the students and their ability to confront the texts and the topics covered during the course. The supplementary activities carried out in class and the students' presentations are part of the final evaluation.

An oral examination for the students who do not attend classes.

Teaching tools

Videos, essays and articles not included in the texts, but particularly significant for the topics covered in class.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Rizza