This course examines many of the problems of organized crime, particularly as they interrelate with the criminal justice system and with society as a whole.  It surveys the history, structure, and growth of organized crime in America, and will explore the variety of offenses traditionally considered to be a part of organized crime.  It is yet another of the myriad of very significant topics with which criminal justice professionals need to be familiar and conversant.  It is a significant course for criminal justice students and a valuable course for others as it conveys information regarding the invasive and insidious hold that organized crime has on today's society.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Review various concepts regarding organized crime.
• Examine the history, structure, and growth of organized crime in America.
• Develop an understanding of traditional and nontraditional organized crime.
• Review various concepts regarding organized crime.
• Investigate the invasive and insidious hold that organized crime has on today's society.
• Demonstrate a relationship between unethical, and illegal business practices utilized by various business enterprises to further private ends, and to promote the growth of organized crime.
• Develop an understanding of victimless crimes and consensual crimes; and to examine the relationship of public attitudes and specific law enforcement problems in dealing with organized crime.
• Provide an in-depth look at corruption, bribery, labor and union racketeering, vice, drugs, prostitution, pornography, gambling, bookmaking, loan-sharking, theft, and fencing.
• Develop specific attitudes regarding organized crime problems and to allow an opportunity for research and discussion.
• Promote an understanding of the criminal justice response to organized crime.

The required textbook for this course is:

• ORGANIZED CRIME. Ninth (9th) Edition, 2010 (published February 2009),  Howard Abadinsky.  ISBN-10: 0495599662, or ISBN-13: 9780495599661. Wadsworth/Cengage Publishers.
  

Optional:

• Careers in Criminal Justice and Related Fields: From Internship to Promotion,  Sixth Edition, 2010. J. Scott Harr and Karen M. Hess.  Wadsworth-Cengage Publishers.  ISBN-10: 0495600326 -or-  ISBN-13: 9780495600329

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the succesfull completion of the weekly assignments and discussion forums, quizzes and exams, according to the following points:

Note that grades in my course are based upon points earned and never upon percentages

There are (2) proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : llinville@nvcc.edu,
Telephone : (703) 323-3218

You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person at ELI.

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.