Corruption in Today's World

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject focuses on definitions, types and theories of corruption, and on its political, social and economic effects in various parts of the world, particularly since the 1980s. The subject asks students to problematise the concept of corruption in terms of its varied meanings in different cultures, and to distinguish it from concepts such as organised crime, shadow economy, and political sleaze. One major issue considered is the extent to which corruption can delegitimise political systems. The subject will explore cultural diversity in interpretations of corruption, and the extent to which different cultural and systemic factors appear to exacerbate or reduce corruption. There will be a particular focus on the possible connections between corruption and neo-liberalism. On completion, students should have a sophisticated understanding of corruption in the contemporary world, what causes it, how it is measured, and how it is combated. Students should also be able to provide an advanced cost-benefit analysis of corruption in political, economic and social terms.

• be able to problematise the concept and study of corruption, especially in the comparative context.
• be able to evaluate each of the methods suggested in the literature for assessing the scale and nature of corruption in particular countries or regions.
• be able to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the major methods proposed in the literature for combating corruption.
• be able to outline and evaluate the debates on the possible benefits of corruption.
• be able to provide a sophisticated critique of the major contemporary theories of the causes of corruption.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

• Political Corruption: Concepts and Contexts (2001) (A. Heidenheimer &amp.amp.amp.amp.amp.amp.amp. M Johnston (eds))

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to apply research skills and critical methods.
• be able to develop persuasive arguments.
• able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively.