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Organized crime has traditionally tended to be studied from the perspective of sociology and criminology, and viewed as a law enforcement issue. Thus, for long, it evaded the interest of specialists of political science and international relations. But along with processes of globalization in the past two decades, the political and security implications of organized crime have become undeniable, if not always obvious. Serious and transnational organized crime erodes state institutions, exacerbates state weakness, and prolongs armed conflict, running counter to efforts to promote political and economic development and conflict resolution. This course will serve as an introduction to the political and security aspects of organized crime, combining conceptual aspects with deep case studies. <a href="http://bit.ly/1bebp5s" target="_blank">Click here to see evaluations, syllabi, and faculty bios</a>