PO3TEU: Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Module code: PO3TEU

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Amanda Hall, email: amanda.hall@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE PO3ITE (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 7 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This course examines key issues in the study of contemporary international terrorism. We will examine what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system. From there the module will address the causes and consequences of terrorism throughout history, and the nexus between terrorism and the media. We evaluate 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. While portions of the module will focus on specific so-called “typologies” of terrorism, there will be an emphasis on the factors which may be common between cases, providing the opportunity for students to apply their knowledge to a range of timely, real-world examples. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate the impact and effects that terrorism has had on government, the security forces, the media, the public, and international politics
2. 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
3. Apply theoretical information to a range of case studies, synthesising ideas from a range of sources
4. Assess the difficulties and prospects of resolving terrorism for the liberal democratic state, using the wide repertoire of available instruments from the counterterrorism toolbox
5. Develop thecapacity to present these discussions in an articulate fashion during seminars and presentations, and with a high degree of analytical precision in written work

Module content

Topics will include:  

• Conceptualising terrorism  
• “Root causes” of terrorism 
• Radicalisation and counter-radicalisation  
• Terrorism and the Media  
• Typologies of terrorism, including nationalism and religion  
• Counterterrorism  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught through a series of seminars, structured around a combination of formative presentations, group work, and discussion. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will receive formative feedback on an in-class presentation.  

Reassessment

Additional costs