PO3ITE-International Terrorism

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Christina Hellmich
Email: c.hellmich@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This course examines key issues in the study of contemporary international terrorism. It starts by examining what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system before tracing the causes and consequences of terrorism throughout history, from the 19th-century anarchists to religious terrorism across a range of faiths. From here, the focus shifts to the question of whether there is a particular terrorist type, and the nexus between terrorism and the media. We examine what factors influence terrorist target selection and the modus operandi as well as the options available to counterterrorism, specifically focusing on the effectiveness of political, economic, military and judicial instruments. Terrorism and counterterrorism are further examined with a view to just-war theory and within the context of the civil liberties debate. The course concludes with a look to the future, both in terms of terrorism itself as well as the contribution the social sciences can make to conceptual and theoretical progress in the area.

Aims:

Assessable learning outcomes:

During this module it is intended that students will develop:

• an understanding of what ‘terrorism’ is;


• a knowledge of the historical antecedents and causes of modern terrorism;


• an understanding of the diverse aims, motivations and justifications of contemporary terrorists;


• a clear appreciation of the impact and effects that terrorism has had on government, the security forces, the media, the public, a nd international politics;


• an understanding of the difficulties and prospects of resolving terrorism for the liberal democratic state, using the wide repertoire of available instruments from the counter-terrorism toolbox;


• a critical understanding of the role of the social sciences in research on terrorism.

They will also be able to develop the capacity to present these discussions in an articulate fashion during seminars and p resentations, and with a high degree of analytical precision in written work.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
12 x 2 hour seminars, regular film screenings, essays, book reviews, internet research

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	14	14
Guided independent study:	86	86
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
No examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment will be carried out only via essay but these are both 3,000 words (with equal weighting). Non-submitted essays will be awarded a mark of zero. Visiting students will follow the same assessments to gain full credits. Visiting students who are only studying for half credits in Autumn or Spring term will submit one 3,000 word essay in total.

Formative assessment methods:
Seminar presentations are mandatory and will be peer-assessed

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a £Pass£ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted by 1st August, emailed directly to politics@reading.ac.uk, AND submitted on Blackboard.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books:


2. Specialist equipment or materials:


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:


4. Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification:


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2021