Crim 412 ON1-Summer 2024
Crim 412 ON1-Summer 2024
Calendar Description:
This course will examine the issues surrounding organized crime in North American society, while
advancing a critical analysis of this subject area. The analysis will primarily be grounded in theory as well
as in an applied research approach that emphasizes a police and government functional and operational
perspective. While concentrating on sociological and criminological theory, the approach to this topic is
multi-disciplinary and will involve other fields, including economics, history, political science,
psychology and deviant behaviour, criminal intelligence, and systems theory, among others.
Required Text(s):
Abadinsky, Howard Organized Crime (11th edition), (Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010) ISBN
9781305633711
All assigned readings must be completed prior to classes each week. Lectures and discussions are
based on these readings.
Additional Readings: The following is a list of books that contain material to support the lectures
and may assist you in deepening your knowledge of the various topics covered during the course.
1. German, Peter M. (2009) Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering, (Toronto: Thomson
Reuters). ISBN 0-459-55552-9.
2. Schneider, Steve. (2009) ICED – The Story of Organized Crime in Canada (Toronto: Wiley).
ISBN 978-0-470-83500-5.
3. Criminal Code of Canada (current pocket or other format)
4. Grennan, Sean and Marjie T. Britz. (2006) Organized Crime – A Worldwide Perspective (New
Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall). ISBN 0-13-171094-X.
5. Nicaso, Antonio and Lee Lamothe (2006) Angels, Mobsters & Narco-Terrorists (Mississauga:
Wiley). ISBN-10:0-470-83917-1
6. Chettleburg, Michael C., (2008) Young Thugs, Inside the Dangerous World of Canadian Street
Gangs (Harper Collins Publishers Ltd). ISBN 978-0-00-215688-2
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CRIMINOLOGY 412 (ON1) Summer 2024
7. Desroches, Frederick J. (2005) The Crime that Pays: Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime in
Canada (Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc.) ISBN 1-55130-231-4
9. Sher, J., Marsden, W. (2004) The Road to Hell: How the Biker Gangs are Conquering
Canada. (Random House, Canada) ISBN 0-676-97599-2
10. Beare, Margaret E. (2015) Criminal Conspiracies: Organized Crime in Canada (2nd Edition).
Don Mills (ONT): Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0-19-544622-7.
11. Glenny, Misha (2009) McMafia: A journey through the global criminal underworld (House of
Anansi Press Inc.) ISBN 978-0-88784-818-6
Read the Vancouver Sun daily, as well as Canadian journals, magazines, etc., for articles relating to
organized crime. Such material will assist you in your understanding of the course content and its
relevance course issues. This is a required component of the course. There will also be handouts and
additional assigned readings.
This classroom, albeit online, is a place for legitimate and intelligent academic debate - it is not a place
for “offhand” comments, judgments, or statements of a racist, sexist or prejudicial nature. This
classroom will be a place that encourages debate and that offers educated opinions. There are many
issues that simply have no right or wrong answer. An opinion backed up with references or an
example is appropriate. If anything offends anyone in any way you should see me to discuss your
concerns. Any legitimate concerns will be addressed immediately.
Additional readings may be handed out during the semester. Material contained in these additional
readings may be used in an exam.
The format of the course will include lectures, discussion boards, guest lecturers, and exams. Students
are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. Please read the assigned readings for each
class so that you can participate.
Course Evaluation:
This assignment will be a formal research paper. The students will choose a topic by focusing on a
specific area of organized crime that was contained or referred to in the course material. A written
proposal must be submitted and approved by the instructor on the chosen topic. This proposal is not
graded but will allow the instructor to narrow the topic area to a manageable scope and cut down on
duplication. This will be submitted by 2359 on Thursday May 23rd
Materials used must be properly sourced using the APA style of referencing. A work cited page
and cover page must accompany the assignment. The paper will be 1400-1600 words (excluding
reference page and cover page), typed in Times New Roman 12 font, and double-spaced. At least
six (6) academic and peer-reviewed sources must be used.
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Your paper must include a cover page with the name of the paper, your name and student
number, the professor’s name, the course number, the date you submitted the paper, and a
reference page. Your paper must be submitted in WORD format (not PDF) through the
BlackBoard site.
Please refer to the UFV Guidelines for Written Assignments contained in this course
outline for more detailed information.
Your paper must include a cover page with the name of the paper, your name and student number,
the professor’s name, the course number, the date you submitted the paper, and a reference page.
Your paper must be double spaced and written only in 12-point font.
You must include page numbers. Do not put a page number on your cover page. Page numbers start
where your writing starts. Your reference page should also have a page number. You do not need to
include additional blank pages at the beginning or end of your paper. In other words, the first two
pages of your paper should be your cover page and your first page of writing. The last page of your
paper should be your reference list.
Do not use contractions (don’t for do not; can’t for cannot; shouldn’t for should not; and it’s for it
is) in academic writing.
The possessive form of the pronoun “its” is an exception – it does not have an apostrophe. Take the
following sentence as an example. This theory is useful because of its attention to the causes of
crime. The use of an apostrophe with “it” is reserved for the contraction of “it is”.
Proofread your papers carefully. Preferably several times! One of the best ways to proofread your
paper is to read it out loud. It is also a good idea to have someone else read your paper for you
before submitting it. Proofreading is best done a day or two after finishing writing.
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CRIMINOLOGY 412 (ON1) Summer 2024
When citing information in your paper, use the APA referencing style. When you have
information you need to reference, there are a few specific rules. Please refer to the UFV Library
APA Formatting Guide, located at:
o http://www.ufv.ca/media/assets/writing-centre/handouts/APA-Documentation-
Style-6th-Ed-Winter-2012.pd
o Visual appeal
o Comprehension of the subject area
o Engagement
o Use of technology
o Presentation skills
o Content
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o Preparedness
o Participation within the group
o Group dynamics
Mid-Term (25%)
This exam will be a comprehensive test covering materials from the first half of the course. Multiple
choice, True/False, and short answer question formats will be used in the quiz.
The exam is worth 30% of your course grade. There will be a 48-hour window during the week of June
17 in which the exam must be completed allowing you to determine the best time for you to write the
exam. The exam availability will be released closer to the middle of the term.
In writing the exam, please be aware of the following: Please be ethical in all aspects of writing the
exam. The exam must be completed individually. It may NOT be written in pairs or groups.
The exam is completely (100%) CLOSED BOOK. You are NOT permitted to access the textbook,
any notes, any electronic devices other than the course website and the exam, any other individuals, or
any non-approved exam materials.
The use of any electronic devices during the exam, other than the course website and the
exam, including the copying and transmission or sharing of the exam contents by digital or any other
means to anyone for any purpose, is expressly prohibited and constitutes academic dishonesty (i.e.,
cheating). Any instances of academic dishonesty will be formally addressed through established UFV
policies and procedures.
The exam has 50 multiple choice and true or false questions. Please answer all 50 questions.
You have 60 minutes to complete the exam.
You only get ONE attempt at the exam.
You will only be able to see and respond to ONE question at a time.
Once a question is answered, you may NOT go back to change your response.
You must complete the exam in ONE SESSION. In other words, once you begin the exam
you cannot stop and return to the exam later. If you stop or close your browser and do not complete
the exam, you will NOT get a second attempt.
You will only receive your total exam score. You will not be able to see which individual questions
you answered correctly/incorrectly.
This exam will be a comprehensive test covering materials from the second half of the course in the
course. Multiple choice, True/False, and short answer question formats will be used in the exam. The
exam date will be assigned through scheduling and the exact date for the exam will be announced
during the semester.. The same expectations for completing the mid-term exam will be used in the final
exam (see above)
**Please note that completing all assignments, handing in a research paper, and reviewing all class
material regularly are all necessary to pass this course. Failure to complete any of the major course
components will result in grade of “0” for that assignment**
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CRIMINOLOGY 412 (ON1) Summer 2024
members, or emergencies. Under most circumstances, a missed exam or assignment will result in a
grade of “zero” for that exam or assignment. Make-up exams are not permitted unless there are
extenuating circumstances and with the prior approval of the instructor. Extenuating circumstances are
limited in definition and are defined by the instructor. An example of an extenuating circumstance
would be the hospitalization of a student. Lack of preparation, forgetfulness, holidays, sleeping in late,
or work obligations are not acceptable examples of extenuating circumstances.
Grading System:
Letter Numerical Grade Definition
Grade % Point
A+ 90% -100% 4.33 Excellent. Superior performance, showing comprehensive,
A 85%-89% 4.00 in-depth understanding of subject matter.
A- 80%-84% 3.67
B+ 77%-79% 3.33 Very good. Above average performance with knowledge of
B 73%-76% 3.00 principles and facts with no serious deficiencies.
B- 70%-72% 2.67
C+ 67%-69% 2.33 Satisfactory. Basic understanding with knowledge and
C 63%-66% 2.00 principles and adequate communication in the discipline.
Students are not permitted to use generative AI in this course. In alignment with UFV’s Student
Academic Misconduct Policy 70, it “shall be an offense knowingly to ... submit academic work for
assessment that was purchased or acquired from another source”. This includes work created by
generative AI tools. Also, stated in the policy is the following, “Contract Cheating is the act of
“outsourcing of student work to third parties” (Lancaster & Clarke, 2016, p. 639) with or without
payment.” Using Generative AI tools is a form of contract cheating. Charges of academic dishonesty
will be brought forward to the Office of Academic Integrity
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In terms of academic conduct, all written and oral submissions must conform to UFV standards for
academic integrity in relation to avoiding directly participating in, aiding and/or abetting various forms
of academic misconduct, including, but not limited to: (1) plagiarism; (2) cheating; (3)
impersonation; (4) improper access to examination materials; (5) falsification of academic
records; (6) resubmission of work; (7) improper research practices; and/or (8) obstruction of the
academic activities of another person. Student academic misconduct is extremely serious and, if
documented, will result in a failing grade for the assignment and/or exam and in the course. All
suspected violations will be reported to the Director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
and handled in accordance with established UFV procedures.
Plagiarism occurs when a student presents as his/her own the work or data of someone else, or when
paragraphs, phrases, sentences or ideas are taken from another source without referring to or citing the
author. Any use of the work of others, whether published, unpublished, or posted electronically,
attributed or anonymous, must include proper acknowledgement. For additional information on
plagiarism, please see
https://www.ufv.ca/media/assets/counselling/Plagarism+and+Academic+Integrity.pdf
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following: (a) Communicating or attempting to
communicate with others during an exam; (b) Using or attempting to use other students’ answers,
providing answers to other students, or failing to take reasonable measures to prevent the use of one’s
answers by other students; (c) Using text books, materials, or technologies not sanctioned by the
instructor during an exam; (d) Consulting other students, materials, or technologies during or outside
of an exam; (e) Submitting work prepared in collaboration with others, when collaborative work has
not been authorized; (f) Misrepresenting one’s contributions to group projects; (g) Submitting work
prepared in whole or in part by another, including work purchased, and representing that work as one’s
own; (h) Offering for sale essays or other assignments; (i) Preparing work in whole or in part, with the
expectation that this work will be submitted by another student; (j) Submitting any academic work
containing a statement of fact or reference to a source that has been fabricated.
Impersonation occurs when one individual claims to be another in class, in an online class, or exam.
Improper access to examination materials occurs when a student acquires, possesses, and/or
distributes exams, exam material, or exam information without the instructor’s authorization.
Resubmission of work involves submitting, in whole or part, an essay, presentation, or assignment
more than once, whether the earlier submission was at this or another institution, unless prior approval
has been obtained from the instructor(s).
Penalties for academic misconduct may include, but are not limited to, the following: a written
reprimand; a requirement to complete the Academic Integrity Workshop; a score of zero for the
applicable assignment, exam, presentation, paper, or project; a grade reduction or no credit for the
applicable course; a recommendation of expulsion; revocation of an award, degree, diploma,
certificate, or other academic credential; denial of admission or readmission to the University and
forfeiture of awards or financial assistance.
Student academic misconduct is extremely serious and, if documented, will result in a failing grade for
the assignment and/or exam and in the course. All suspected violations will be reported to the Director
of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and handled in accordance with established UFV
procedures. For more information about academic misconduct and the procedures/guidelines for
investigations, decisions, and appeals, please review the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (Policy
70) at https://www.ufv.ca/media/assets/secretariat/policies/Student-Academic-Misconduct-(70).pdf
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For non-academic conduct, students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible
manner, and will be held responsible for their actions, whether acting alone or in a group. In particular,
students are expected to be attentive and non-disruptive in class.
No-Show Policy:
Students are required to check in during the first week of the course or notify the instructor in advance
if they are unable to attend. Any student who does not check in during the first week may be
withdrawn by the instructor under the Attendance policy. At the end of the first week, the instructor
completes a Notice of Withdrawal, Failure to Attend form, and submits it to OReg. The attendance
policy does not apply to students who drop out after the first class — these students must withdraw
themselves. Please remember that students who are not withdrawn will require a grade at the end of the
term.
Changing Status:
Students are expected to be aware of important Registration Dates, including course withdrawal dates.
See UFV Important Registration Dates.
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You are expected to complete the assigned readings and materials for each week and manage your time to meet
all course requirements. There is no discussion forum for this course. However, please feel free to discuss course
content amongst yourselves online. If you choose to participate in an online discussion, please remember that
some topics are sensitive (i.e., there is considerable debate and differing opinions on the matter). Therefore, it is
very important that you communicate with each other in a respectful and constructive manner.
A list of services for students can be found at http://www.ufv.ca/studentservices.htm. Students with documented
disabilities requiring academic and/or exam accommodation should contact the Centre for Accessibility
Services at https://www.ufv.ca/accessibility at the beginning of the semester to arrange the necessary
accommodations. Students seeking accommodations are expected to follow the applicable Accessibility
Resource Centre procedures, including making advance arrangements for exams.
The UFV Priority Access to Student Supports (PASS) Program connects students to the supports and resources
that may help them to increase their chance of success. Such assistance may include putting students in touch
with an academic advisor, financial aid, a counselor, or another resource. If a professor is concerned about a
student’s progress, s/he may refer the student to PASS. The referral is treated confidentially and is sent because
a professor cares about a student’s progress and success in a course. A student’s response to PASS is entirely
voluntary. If a student does not wish their professor to make a referral to PASS, please let him/her know by
email.
It is your responsibility to review and understand the information in this course outline. If anything is unclear,
please do not hesitate to ask for clarification. This also holds true for material covered in this course. If you are
struggling with any of the readings or material, please do not hesitate to contact me during office hours or email
me with questions. Please use your UFV email address for all email correspondence.
International Peer Support provides academic and personal support to first year students who need assistance
navigating through their introductory courses. The program, open to both international and domestic students,
consists of peer supporters who have specific course content knowledge and can guide students with assignment
or academic integrity questions. They can help clarify course work expectations and direct students to the
relevant resources available on campus. International Peer Support can proactively help students be successful.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Instructor Responsibilities
I am here to help you and guide you! I will do my best to facilitate the objectives of this course and support you
to succeed. Please do not hesitate to come and see me if you need help. If you are struggling with the course
material, please see me as soon as possible. I am happy to discuss accommodations under extenuating
circumstances. In these cases, I ask that you contact me as soon as possible before the assigned due date and be
honest about your circumstances. We can then work together to find a solution. The best way to communicate
with me is through my UFV email. I will make an effort to respond to emails in a timely manner, which will
generally be within 24 hours.
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