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PL52140: International terrorism

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 70%, CWOG 30%
Assessment Detail:
  • Group Presentation on Policy Paper in the field of terrorism prevention (CWOG 30% - Qualifying Mark: 50)
  • Essay on the theoretical and empirical challenges of international terrorism. (CWES 70% - Qualifying Mark: 50)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the unit:
  • You will garner in-depth knowledge of different theoretical and conceptual approaches to the study of international terrorism, insurgency, and counter insurgency.
  • You will learn different debates that shape scholarship in relation to these matters.
  • You will be able to analyse violent events associated with state-sponsored and non-state terrorism.
  • You will become aware of the policy-making world that evolves around notions of security and international cooperation to mitigate terrorist threats.



Synopsis: Discover different theoretical approaches to the study of international terrorism, insurgency, and counter-insurgency in order to understand the causes, modi operandi and the potential approaches to the pacification of state and non-state terrorist violence. You'll focus on the nexus of theoretical and conceptual debates and draw on both historical and contemporary case studies.

Content: The unit first introduces students to the different theories and concepts that have shaped the field of international terrorism, insurgency, and counterinsurgency. The unit will explore the interaction between cultural, religious, social, and economic factors that might motivate terrorist groups to deploy violent tactics for political goals. Then the unit will move into exploring historical and contemporary cases of terrorism, insurgency, and counter insurgency such as 9/11, the War on Terror, the Sudanese genocide and more. The emphasis will be placed on the role that governments and inter-governmental agencies have in shaping terrorist activities and its potential solutions. Further, the unit will look into the field of policy-making associated with the field, aiming to explore the core political tools that have been designed and are currently implemented in the fight against terroristic violence.

Course availability:

PL52140 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM16 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics, Policy and Society
  • THPL-AFM43 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics, Policy and Society
  • THPL-AFM17 : MA Contemporary European Studies with Transatlantic Track (Euromasters)
  • THPL-AFM44 : MA Contemporary European Studies with Transatlantic Track (Euromasters) 
  • THPL-AFM40 : MA Gender and Politics 
  • THPL-AFM41 : MA International Relations 
  • THPL-AFM42 : MA International Security 

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.