Corruption in Today's World

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

10

None

None

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

166-418 Corruption in Today's World

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 and on methods used by States, IOs and NGOs for combating corruption.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• 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 provide an advanced cost-benefit analysis of corruption in political, economic and social terms;
• 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.

2 x 500 word briefing papers, each worth 10% due throughout the semester, 1 x 1000 word briefing paper, worth 20% due during the semester, and a 3000 word essay worth 60% due at the end of semester.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed.Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject.Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

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

• Political Corruption: Concepts and Contexts (2001) (A. Heidenheimer & 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.