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    The line dividing legitimate international business activities and illicit conduct is becoming increasingly blurred. The organizations typically involved in facilitating legitimate international commerce (law firms, accounting firms and banks) are increasingly assisting corrupt regimes, and international crime groups. Many governments and international organizations regard transnational organized crime (including terrorism) as posing the principal national security threat of the 21st Century. This course will examine both the institutional and legal framework for combating this threat. Some of the topics to be addressed include (i) domestic law (e.g. RICO) and governmental structures for combating corruption, human trafficking, narcotics (cultivation and distribution), tax evasion through the use of offshore tax havens, and illegal weapons exports; (ii) the role of international institutions and instruments in this area, and (iii) how private service providers (accounting firms, law firms and banks) aggravate the situation. Students may elect to take an examination or they may research, brief and prepare terms papers (approved in advance by the professor) related to the subject matter of the course. Prior to submitting their papers, students will have an opportunity to submit a draft, which the professor will review and provide comments in strike and underline format. Students whose first language is not English are especially encouraged to take advantage of this offer.