Geopolitics and Organized Crime
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to analyze the link between geopolitics and organized crime by exploring the relationship between space, power, and conflict. In the first part, the fundamental concepts will be defined through the interpretative frameworks of sociology and political geography, providing students with useful tools to critically interpret the current and profound crisis of the international order. The course will then identify the main geopolitical actors—obviously the State, but also other entities such as supranational organizations, corporations and finance, social movements, and terrorism—before focusing on organized crime and the mafia, interpreted as a peculiar form of power and a political actor.
In the central part of the course, several phenomena and processes will be examined—through historical examples and case studies—that clearly highlight the relationships between geopolitics and organized and mafia-type crime: the formation, consolidation, and disintegration of the State; wars; the environment and natural resources; legal and illegal trafficking; migration. The final part of the course includes an in-depth study of the Latin American context, with particular attention given to the Mexican case.
In the central part of the course, several phenomena and processes will be examined—through historical examples and case studies—that clearly highlight the relationships between geopolitics and organized and mafia-type crime: the formation, consolidation, and disintegration of the State; wars; the environment and natural resources; legal and illegal trafficking; migration. The final part of the course includes an in-depth study of the Latin American context, with particular attention given to the Mexican case.
Expected learning outcomes
· Understanding the relationships between geopolitics and forms of organized and mafia-type crime.
· Knowledge of the key concepts of the course, such as space, power, conflict, sovereignty, territory, imaginaries, scale, and borders.
· Development of critical geopolitical analysis skills.
· Knowledge of the key concepts of the course, such as space, power, conflict, sovereignty, territory, imaginaries, scale, and borders.
· Development of critical geopolitical analysis skills.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
1st PART
Define the objects of the course: geopolitics and organized crime.
The tools, methods, and key concepts of geopolitics.
The actors of geopolitics.
Organized crime and mafias as geopolitical actors.
2nd PART
The links between geopolitics and organized crime.
State formation, consolidation and fragmentation / war / environment and resources / trafficking / migration.
Case studies and seminars.
3rd PART
The Latin American case.
Group work.
Define the objects of the course: geopolitics and organized crime.
The tools, methods, and key concepts of geopolitics.
The actors of geopolitics.
Organized crime and mafias as geopolitical actors.
2nd PART
The links between geopolitics and organized crime.
State formation, consolidation and fragmentation / war / environment and resources / trafficking / migration.
Case studies and seminars.
3rd PART
The Latin American case.
Group work.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of contemporary history and geography
Teaching methods
- Lectures
- Seminars held by external lecturers/experts
- Group work and discussions
- Seminars held by external lecturers/experts
- Group work and discussions
Teaching Resources
Program for Attending Students
Required readings:
- Lectures and course slides.
- Elena dell'Agnese, Geografia politica critica, new edition, Guerini Scientifica, 2024.
- Nando dalla Chiesa (ed.), Mafia Globale, Laurana Editore, 2017.
Optional readings
- Alessandro Colombo, Il suicidio della pace, Cortina Editore, 2025.
- Manlio Graziano, Geopolitica. Orientarsi nel grande disordine internazionale, Il Mulino, 2019.
- Thomas Aureliani, Vivi li rivogliamo! La mobilitazione dei familiari dei desaparecidos in Messico, Meltemi, 2022.
Strongly recommended (no mandatory) reading for an introduction to mafia phenomena
- Rocco Sciarrone, Prima lezione di sociologia delle mafie, Laterza, 2025.
Program for NON‑Attending Students
Required readings:
- Elena dell'Agnese, Geografia politica critica, new edition, Guerini Scientifica, 2024.
- Nando dalla Chiesa (ed.), Mafia Globale, Laurana Editore, 2017.
Plus one mandatory text chosen from:
- Alessandro Colombo, Il suicidio della pace, Cortina Editore, 2025.
- Manlio Graziano, Geopolitica. Orientarsi nel grande disordine internazionale, Il Mulino, 2019.
- Thomas Aureliani, Vivi li rivogliamo! La mobilitazione dei familiari dei desaparecidos in Messico, Meltemi, 2022.
Recommended reading for an introduction to mafia phenomena:
- Rocco Sciarrone, Prima lezione di sociologia delle mafie, Laterza, 2025.
Rocco Sciarrone, Prima lezione di sociologia delle mafie, Laterza, 2025.
Required readings:
- Lectures and course slides.
- Elena dell'Agnese, Geografia politica critica, new edition, Guerini Scientifica, 2024.
- Nando dalla Chiesa (ed.), Mafia Globale, Laurana Editore, 2017.
Optional readings
- Alessandro Colombo, Il suicidio della pace, Cortina Editore, 2025.
- Manlio Graziano, Geopolitica. Orientarsi nel grande disordine internazionale, Il Mulino, 2019.
- Thomas Aureliani, Vivi li rivogliamo! La mobilitazione dei familiari dei desaparecidos in Messico, Meltemi, 2022.
Strongly recommended (no mandatory) reading for an introduction to mafia phenomena
- Rocco Sciarrone, Prima lezione di sociologia delle mafie, Laterza, 2025.
Program for NON‑Attending Students
Required readings:
- Elena dell'Agnese, Geografia politica critica, new edition, Guerini Scientifica, 2024.
- Nando dalla Chiesa (ed.), Mafia Globale, Laurana Editore, 2017.
Plus one mandatory text chosen from:
- Alessandro Colombo, Il suicidio della pace, Cortina Editore, 2025.
- Manlio Graziano, Geopolitica. Orientarsi nel grande disordine internazionale, Il Mulino, 2019.
- Thomas Aureliani, Vivi li rivogliamo! La mobilitazione dei familiari dei desaparecidos in Messico, Meltemi, 2022.
Recommended reading for an introduction to mafia phenomena:
- Rocco Sciarrone, Prima lezione di sociologia delle mafie, Laterza, 2025.
Rocco Sciarrone, Prima lezione di sociologia delle mafie, Laterza, 2025.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Oral exam
- Possible mid-term written test for attending students
- Group work for attending students
- Possible mid-term written test for attending students
- Group work for attending students
SPS/12 - SOCIOLOGY OF LAW, DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CHANGE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Aureliani Thomas
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Professor(s)