Global Terrorism and Political Violence

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop increasingly specialised/professional knowledge and critically engage with the theoretical foundations and methodological issues associated with the study and policies of terrorism and counter-terrorism, from differing disciplinary perspectives
• Evaluate processes and policies of counter-terrorism in the UK and beyond, taking into account broader social and political contexts and debates
• Interpret and analyse relevant national and international trends in the phenomena of terrorism and political violence through synthesis and examination of (primary source) evidence
• Interrogate and critique common assumptions of terrorism and counter-terrorism policies
• Describe and differentiate conceptual and analytical frameworks related to terrorism and political violence

Teaching and learning will be organised around three core blocks:

Block 1 – Origins, Concepts, and Theories of Terrorism and Political Violence

• Definitions, Conceptions, and Assumptions

Block 2 – Terrorism Case Studies: Innovation and Cross-Ideological Learning

• Left-Wing Terrorism
• Al-Qaeda and the Global Jihad
• Islamic State and the Territorial ‘Caliphate’
• Right-Wing Terrorism
• Anti-Government and Separatist Terrorism
• Terrorism and the Patriarchy

Block 3 – Counter-Terrorism: Testing Assumptions

• “Everyday” Counter-Terrorism in the Post-9/11 Era
• Surveillance, Profiling and Power
• Deradicalisation

Teaching and learning methods

Students will be provided with a full reading list, organised on the basis of three blocks of work to which the in-person teaching sessions align. They will be expected to undertake individual reading and prepare fully for each session. Learning will occur through analysis and discussion of the readings and of contemporary debate. Students will be expected to make themselves aware of topical terrorist activity and responsive policy (e.g. government policy decision-making; news stories and podcasts; and contentious debates) and be prepared to discuss and summarise in class. Tutors will advise students on the planning of assessments and provide detailed feedback.

In-person delivery and discussion of material will take the form of a weekly lecture followed by an interactive seminar.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.