module specification

This is a core module on the Masters Degree in Security studies.

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In an era of huge financial insecurity, this module looks at issues of crime within the international criminal system and dwells on emerging crimes. This module deals with the overall aspect and impact of financial crime in the context of the security of the financial system and wider security related issues, including financing of terrorism.
Such fundamental issues will be deployed in horizon scanning of the potential macro economic impact of illicit finances upon national economies of scale, and the impact upon both the public and private financial sectors.

Following an introductory session the module will address the following topics:

• the international financial system,
• international money laundering and the attempts to establish financial compliance systems and compliance and regulatory regimes,
• central banks and their involvement in anti money laundering and potential role in anti terrorist financing,
• global issues of financing of terrorism,
• overall economic impact of such financial crime and terrorist financing on the public and private sectors,
• vulnerabilities of the private financial sector and financial institutions,
• an overview of  international and national counter measures deployed against to financial crime, money laundering and terrorist financing and assessing their effectiveness.

Teaching sessions consist of a series of lectures in which students are encouraged to explore the political, strategic and tactical complexities of terrorism and counter terrorism. Students draw upon case studies and examine actual operational scenarios.

This module will also be delivered through the use of distance learning strategies as follows:
• E-learning: delivered using computers utilising internet technology and programming which allows the student to interact with the learning materials via chat rooms, online office hours and notice boards. The present WebLearn facilities are sufficient to cover these methods.
• Online Lectures:  lectures are to be recorded digitally and placed onto WebLearn and released to the students as required.
• Written materials: Students will be provided with written materials such as articles in electronic format (e.g. pdf files). WebLearn to be used as a repository for such material.
• Students will be required to complete a weekly Workbook involving key questions, exercises and tasks relating to the week’s lecture.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of the inter-related nature of the global financial system and
the threat from financial crime
2. an  understanding of  the nature of various forms of financial crime
and law enforcement and societal responses
3.   understand and appreciate the issues relating to financing of terrorism
4.  an understanding of vulnerable national and regional economies
5.  To understand the vulnerabilities of both public and private financial sectors.
6. understand the implications  and potential impact
   of such illicit financial activity on the private financial sector,
7. to appreciate and asses international and national counter measures deployed
against to financial crime, money laundering and terrorist financing.

The objective of the assessment strategy is to enable the student to gain an understanding the both the concept of global financial system(s) and the various forms and changing dynamics of financial crime and the impact upon overall security by the activities of criminal finances and terrorist financing.

The course will embrace both the financial systems, their vulnerabilities and financial crime impact upon both public and private sectors.

The  two , 2,000-word assignments will evidence the student learning around theories and discourse and their ability to relate this to the financial system and its vulnerabilities to financial crime.  The first essay will look at the development, context and form of  a financial crime, the second essay will explore how financial crime ought to be regulated.

Savona, E.  (1999)European Money Trails  Australia:Harwood Academic Publishers
Brown, S. (ed) (2008) The Longer Arm of the Law . London: Routledge
Napoleoni, L.  (2003) Terror Inc.-tracing the money behind global terrorism. London: Penguin
Kochan, N. (2005) The Washing Machine. London: Thomson
Ridley, N. (2012) Terrorist Financing. Cheltenham Edward Elgar Publishing