Corruption from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: What is Corruption?

Corruption affects us all and millions of people around the world protest against it every day. What is corruption? How do we know it when we see it? This module is designed to give you an understanding of both the definition and the key components of corruption. You’ll learn about the general and legal definitions of corruption, how to measure it using the Corruptions Perceptions Index, examine the history of corruption, and evaluate where corruption takes place in the world. You'll also learn three major theories that attempt to explain the current "Eruption in Corruption" that we are facing today. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to explain what corruption is, how it is measured, the costs of corruption, and how corruption spreads so that you can begin identifying and measuring corruption where it affects you.

Week 2: Societal Level Effects

In this module, you'll explore the extensive effects of corruption, including its economic, social and psychological costs. You'll learn how corruption leads to the informal creation of parallel institutions, such as loansharking and black markets, and see the role decision makers play in enabling the spread of corruption. You'll also learn how trust is jeopardized, and how this loss of trust inhibits economic and social development. You'll examine the social costs of corruption, including decreases in the quality of infrastructure and in environmental quality, increases in terrorism and infant mortality, and other threats to human security. At the end of this module, you'll be able to outline the comprehensive effects of corruption so that you can determine strategies for addressing them.

Week 3: Individual Firm Level Effects

This module was designed to help you explore the ethics behind corruption through external and internal relationships. You'll learn about the time and monetary costs of corruption, perspectives on the benefits of bribery, and the characteristics of a strong ethical climate. You'll also learn how to identify indirect costs of corruption, including those that are easy to predict, like fines and settlements, and those which are harder to quantify, such as effects on an individual's reputation. At the end of this module, you'll be able to define corruption as part of a relationship, outline the costs of corruption on those relationships, and categorize the sanctions, both predictable and unpredictable, imposed on corrupt entities.

Week 4: Corruption Control

In this module, you will learn the main theories about control of corruption. You'll explore whether or not corruption can be controlled. Then, you'll examine the different ways corruption can be controlled: firms, industries, and polities (organized societies). You'll learn about assurance problems, platforms for exchange, and certification programs as some methods of control. You'll look at the steps organized societies have taken to control corruption, including the example of a country that used to have the cleanest government in the world. By the end of this course, you will be able to apply the principles you’ve learned by assessing the work of your peers in a Peer Review assignment. You'll create a Corruption Analysis in which you identify and analyze a real life incident of corruption that has occurred anywhere in the world over the past 12-18 months.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops expertise in corruption control strategies, which is a valuable skill that cannot be developed elsewhere

Taught by Philip Nichols, who are recognized for their work in the study and reduction of corruption

Explores societal level effects of corruption, including economic, social, and psychological costs

Examines corruption from multiple perspectives, including those of governments, businesses, and citizens

Provides an ethical framework for examining corruption in different contexts

Students will need to purchase real-life examples of corruption to complete the Corruption Analysis assignment

Reviews summary

Corruption: global problem, local solutions

Learners say that this corruption course is excellent and remarkable, especially for high school students who are willing to put in the effort. Despite some low-key content in the first module, learners say the course offers a strong overview of corruption with good examples and opportunities to learn more. Supplemental materials are also said to be worth reading or viewing.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Corruption with these activities:

Review Corruptions Perceptions Index Articles

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Reviewing Corruption Perception Index articles will aid in understanding where corruption takes place in the world.

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Explore the Corruption Perception Index website
Read articles to gain insight into corruption in specific regions

Attend an Anti-Corruption Workshop

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Attending an anti-corruption workshop can complement the course by providing additional insights, best practices, and networking opportunities.

Browse courses on Anti-Corruption

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshop
Actively participate in discussions and share perspectives

Attend Industry Conferences on Corruption

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Networking at conferences can expand your understanding by connecting you with professionals from various backgrounds and perspectives.

Browse courses on Anti-Corruption

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Identify and attend conferences focused on corruption
Engage in discussions and exchange ideas with attendees

Three other activities

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Analyze the Effects of Corruption

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Practicing the analysis of corruption's effects will enhance awareness of its broad-reaching consequences.

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Examine case studies on corruption's societal impacts
Identify the economic, social, and psychological effects of corruption

Compile a Corruption Reference Guide

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Organizing resources and tools in a compilation can reinforce learning and create a valuable reference for the future.

Browse courses on Corruption

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Collect articles, studies, and other materials on corruption
Summarize key concepts, theories, and best practices
Organize and categorize the information for easy reference

Mentor Junior Professionals on Corruption Issues

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Mentoring others can enhance your understanding by solidifying your knowledge and providing opportunities to share insights.

Browse courses on Anti-Corruption

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Offer mentorship to organizations or individuals working in the anti-corruption field
Share your expertise and provide guidance on corruption-related issues
Facilitate discussions and encourage critical thinking

Career center

Learners who complete Corruption will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Anti-Corruption Investigator

Anti-Corruption Investigators may use the concepts taught in the Corruption course to identify and quantify corruption. This course will also aid an Investigator in building a foundation for the psychological and economic effects of corruption.

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Auditor

Courses on Corruption may help an Auditor identify and examine corruption during audits. A strong awareness of the economic and social costs of corruption is highly valuable in an Auditing role.

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Compliance Officer

The material covered in Corruption may serve Compliance Officers who work in creating, implementing, and monitoring compliance frameworks to prevent and detect corruption.

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Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants are skilled at detecting and investigating financial crimes. They are highly likely to encounter situations where corruption is the key issue. Understanding the economic and social effects of corruption will aid a Forensic Accountant in their investigations.

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Government Official

Government Officials may find that coursework on Corruption equips them to identify and combat corruption at the Governmental level. The course would help in building a foundation to understand the social and economic effects of corruption.

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Journalist

Corruption may be a valuable course for Journalists who cover stories related to corporate crime, money laundering, fraud, or terrorism. It will also help provide a strong foundation on the societal and individual effects of corruption.

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Lawyer

Lawyers who specialize in anti-corruption law may find that coursework in Corruption helps build a strong foundation in the various forms of corruption. This course also provides a comprehensive view of the costs and effects of corruption at the societal and individual levels.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers of organizations that combat corruption can use the knowledge gained through coursework in Corruption to improve their understanding of the effects of corruption and how to combat it.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts who work with anti-corruption policies may find that Corruption coursework builds a foundation in the societal and individual level effects of corruption. The course also provides a comprehensive overview of the various forms of corruption.

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Program Manager

Program Managers who design and implement anti-corruption programs may find Corruption coursework helpful in learning different types of corruption, the costs and effects of corruption, and how to effectively manage anti-corruption programs.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts may find Corruption coursework useful in understanding the methods and costs of corruption. This course also provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of corruption that may be encountered.

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Social Worker

Social Workers who work with victims of corruption or who work to combat corruption may find Corruption coursework helpful in learning about the different types of corruption and the societal and individual effects.

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Sociologist

Corruption coursework might prove helpful to Sociologists who study the causes and effects of corruption at the societal level. The course provides a foundation in the different types of corruption and the societal and individual costs.

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Teacher

Teachers who cover topics related to anti-corruption may find this course useful in building a foundation around the costs and effects of corruption. The course also provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of corruption.

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Whistleblower Advocate

Whistleblower Advocates may find Corruption coursework helpful in understanding the motivations, costs, and legal implications of whistleblowing.

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