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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Amanda Hall
Email: amanda.hall@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, the causes and consequences of terrorism throughout history, and the nexus between terrorism and the media. From here, the focus shifts to the question of whether there is a particular terrorist type, looking at a range of so-called “typologies” of terrorism that have gained prominence in recent decades. We examine what factors influence terrorist target selection and 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 and the contribution the social sciences can make to conceptual and theoretical progress in the area.

Aims:

This course aims to analyse terrorism in its many forms throughout history. Specifically, it aims to:

• acquaint students with an understanding of what ‘terrorism’ is (and is not);


• enhance students’ understanding of the diverse aims, motivations, and justifications of contemporary terrorists and their historical antecedents; and

provide students with the necessary theoretical and methodological tools to understand the impact and effects that terrorism has had on government, the security forces, the media, the public, and international politics.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Appraise a range of conceptualisations of ‘terrorism,’ including using these conceptualisations to assess and analyse a range of types of terrorism;


• Identify and evaluate the impact and effects that terrorism has had on government, the security forces, the media, the public, and international politics;


• Compare and interpret the diverse aims, motivations, and justifications of contemporary terrorists, assessing these on the basis of identified historical antecedents and modern causes of terrorism;


• Apply theoretical information to a range of case studies, synthesising ideas from a range of sources; and


• Assess the difficulties and prospects of resolving terrorism for the liberal democratic state, using the wide repertoire of available instruments from the counterterrorism toolbox.

Achievement of these aims will be evaluated in the two summative essays for the module.

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

Additional outcomes:

In addition to the assessed outcomes, students will be able to:

• Identify and argue for potential best practices relating to different types of terrorism that a state may encounter;


• Demonstrate their mastery of relevant material in seminar presentations and discussion; and


• Contribute to group work.

Outline content:

Autumn Term: Approaches and Issues

1. Conceptualising Terrorism


2. The ‘Root Causes’ of Terrorism


3. Radicalisation and Counter-radicalisation  


4. Terrorism, the Media, and the Public


5. Popular Depictions of Terrorism


6. Terrorism and Legitimacy 

Spring Term: Variations and Responses

1. Religion and ‘New Terrorism’


2. Suicide Terrorism


3. ‘Lone Wolves’ and (Far) Right Terrorism


4. The Globalisation of Terrorism I: al-Qaeda


5. The Globalisation of Terrorism II: Islamic State


6. Counterterrorism


7. Governmental Responses and Countermeasures 

Global context:

This module deals with terrorism as an international phenomenon, drawing from a range of case studies to understand the ways that terrorism has evolved and made an impact at both local and global levels.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• 14 two-hour seminars (7 each term)


• Student presentations and directed discussions during seminars


• Policy workshop to be held in the final seminar


• Two essays (3,000 words each)


• Individual consultations with lecturer


• Independent study

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, with one 3,000 word essay due in each of the autumn and spring terms. These carry equal weighting (50% of the module mark each).

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:

Students are expected to complete two group presentations, one in each term. Topics will be allocated in the “Introduction” seminar. 

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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: 30 March 2023