In developing your expertise in transnational organized crime (TOC) you will be writing a series of research papers. All together the writing contained in all these papers combined would be quite significant project! You will find that in some modules, the research papers mimic our readings with respect to subject matter and some modules, the research papers do not mimic the reading. Again, the goal of these research papers is to stretch the depth and breadth of your knowledge. You should feel well prepared to teach a course in TOCs after completing this course. The research papers and PowerPoints you create could serve as the basis for such class. Additionally, you will find that this course and the course CJUS701 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems complement each other very well.
• Each research paper should be a minimum of 6 pages.
• The vast difference in page count is because some countries and/or crime/topics are quite easy to study and some countries and/or crime/topics have very limited information.
• In some instances, there will be a plethora of information and you must use skilled writing to maintain proper page count.
• Please keep in mind that this is doctoral level analysis and writing – you are to take the hard-earned road – the road less travelled – the scholarly road in forming your paper.
• The paper must use current APA style, and the page count does not include the title page, abstract, reference section, or any extra material.
• The minimum elements of the paper are listed below.
• You must use a minimum of 8 recent (some countries/crimes/topics may have more recent research articles than others), relevant, and academic (peer review journals preferred and professional journals allowed if used judiciously) sources, at least 2 sources being the Holy Bible, and one recent (some countries/crime/topics have more recent than others) news article. Books may be used but are considered “additional: sources beyond the stated minimums. You may use .gov sources as your recent, relevant, and academic sources if the writing is academic in nature (authored works). You may also use United Nations and Whitehouse.gov documents as academic documents.
• Again, this paper must reflect graduate level research and writing style. If you need to go over the maximum page count you must obtain professor permission in advance! Please reference the Research Paper Rubric when creating your research paper.
These are minimum guidelines – you may expand the topics covered in your papers.
1) Begin your paper with a brief analysis of the following elements:
a. Introduction to the country
2) Analyze the nature of organized crime in the assigned area (you may narrow the scope of your analysis through your introduction or thesis statement if needed)
3) Analyze the impact of organized crime in the assigned area on the government.
4) Briefly propose policies that may be helpful in mitigating organized crime in the assigned area.
5) A Holy Bible comparison/analysis of the nature of the organized crime system, the impact on the country, or your proposed policy to mitigate the system.
The following is an outline of the minimum points to be covered in your paper – Crime Typology Topics:
These are minimum guidelines – you may expand the topics covered in your papers…
1) Analyze the nature of assigned crime/issue with respect to (at a minimum):
a. Scope of the crime/issue
b. Financial impact – if possible
c. Human impact – if possible
d. Analysis of various countries laws dealing with the crime/issue.
2) Briefly propose policies that may be helpful in mitigating the crime/topic on a specific country or transnational scale.
3) A Holy Bible comparison/analysis of the crime/topic
Full Answer Section
Research Paper Outline: Human Trafficking with a Focus on Nigeria
This outline will guide you in developing a minimum 6-page, doctoral-level research paper following APA style, with a minimum of 8 recent academic sources (including at least 2 from the Holy Bible and 1 recent news article).
Title Page: (Separate) Abstract: (Separate)
1. Introduction to the Country and the Crime
- 1.1. Introduction to Nigeria:
- Brief overview of Nigeria's geographical location, population demographics, ethnic diversity, and economic landscape (e.g., oil-rich but with significant poverty and inequality).
- Brief political history, mentioning democratic transitions and governance challenges.
- Highlight its regional significance in West Africa.
- Doctoral Level Analysis: Connect Nigeria's socio-economic and political context to vulnerabilities that enable organized crime, particularly human trafficking. Discuss how factors like youth bulge, unemployment, corruption, and porous borders create fertile ground.
- 1.2. Introduction to Human Trafficking:
- Define human trafficking according to international conventions (e.g., Palermo Protocol).
- Briefly state its global prevalence and the severity of the crime.
- Thesis Statement: Clearly articulate the paper's focus, e.g., "This paper will analyze the pervasive nature and devastating impact of organized human trafficking on the Nigerian government and its citizens, arguing for the implementation of multi-faceted, collaborative policies rooted in both international best practices and a foundational biblical commitment to justice and human dignity."
2. The Nature of Organized Crime: Human Trafficking
- 2.1. Scope of Human Trafficking in Nigeria:
- Discuss Nigeria as a major source, transit, and destination country.
- Identify primary forms of trafficking: sex trafficking (internal and transnational, particularly to Europe via Libya/Mediterranean), forced labor (domestic servitude, agricultural labor, mining), child trafficking (for begging, forced marriage, ritual purposes), and organ trafficking (if relevant and documented for Nigeria).
- Highlight the common routes and modus operandi of traffickers (e.g., false promises of education/employment, debt bondage, spiritual manipulation/juju).
- Doctoral Level Analysis: Examine the organizational structures of trafficking networks in Nigeria – from local recruiters to transnational crime syndicates. Discuss the level of sophistication, cross-border collaboration, and adaptation to law enforcement efforts.
- 2.2. Financial Impact:
- If possible, quantify the estimated financial gains for trafficking syndicates originating from or operating within Nigeria. Reference reports from UNODC, IOM, or other relevant bodies.
- Discuss the economic impact on victims (e.g., loss of potential earnings, medical costs of exploitation, debt bondage).
- Analyze the broader economic costs to the nation (e.g., lost productivity, drain on public health/social services, reputational damage affecting foreign investment).
- Doctoral Level Analysis: Connect the financial incentives of trafficking to its resilience. Discuss how illicit financial flows fuel corruption and undermine legitimate economies.
- 2.3. Human Impact:
- Detail the profound physical, psychological, and social trauma inflicted upon victims (e.g., physical abuse, sexual violence, forced drug use, PTSD, depression, anxiety, social isolation, stigma upon return).
Sample Answer
Chosen Topic: Human Trafficking Chosen Country for Specific Focus (where relevant): Nigeria
This choice allows for a rich discussion of a complex global crime with significant human and financial impact, and it provides ample opportunity for scholarly analysis, policy proposals, and a biblical comparison. Nigeria is a significant source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, offering a robust case study.