GV925-7-SP-CO:
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
11 February 2022
Requisites for this module
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Political leaders, security agencies, and the media often portray terrorism as one of the major security threats of our times. What is terrorism, when is it used, and how can we stop it? This module will tackle these challenging questions, examining both the use of terrorism in political conflict and how states have responded to terrorist threats.
We will critically examine the concept of terrorism and the importance of definitions for the analytical study of terrorism. We will also explore the causes of terrorism with a particular focus on its strategic logic. We will tackle questions such as: why do individuals and groups choose to engage in terrorist tactics? Is terrorism effective at achieving political goals? Further, we will examine how states and citizens respond to terrorism as well as the determinants and consequences of counterterrorism policies. Specific examples of topics covered include: the use of terrorism in the context of civil wars, the migration-terrorism nexus, the diffusion of terrorism, jihadist radicalization in the West, and the effectiveness of counterterrorism policies.
This module aims to give students a clear and solid understanding of what terrorism is, why groups choose this strategy, how citizens and political leaders respond to terrorist violence, and the implications this has for countering terrorism and extremism around the globe today.
At the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. Critically engage with the concept of terrorism and understand the scholarly and policy implications of specific definitions
2. Acquire a general knowledge of leading theories, approaches, and concepts for understanding patterns and trends in terrorism around the globe
3. Understand the strategic model of terrorism and evaluate it against empirical evidence
4. Grasp the nature, consequences, and policy implications of the migration-terrorism nexus
5. Recognise the variety and complexity of pathways to terrorist radicalisation
6. Develop informed views regarding potential strategies or policies states can pursue to mitigate terrorist threats
Please note that the readings for this module are intellectually demanding and students should be prepared to analyse quantitative as well as qualitative research articles.
In addition to acquiring substantive knowledge on the topics of terrorism and counterterrorism, in this module students will learn a number of skills, including:
1) Communication, presentation and argumentation skills
2) Teamwork skills through joint presentations and group discussions
3) Writing skills through research or policy papers
Overview of topics covered:
1. What is terrorism?
2. The strategic approach
3. The organizational, psychological, and ideological approaches
4. The structural approach
5.Terrorism in civil war
6. The migration-terrorism nexus
7. Radicalization and diffusion
8. Responses to terrorism
9. Counterterrorism I
10 Counterterrorism II
This module will be delivered with a weekly two-hour interactive seminar session. Each session will consist of a presentation by the lecturer, followed by class discussions or group exercises related to the assigned readings.
Students are expected to do the readings before class and be prepared to engage in discussion.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Sara Polo, email: sara.polo@essex.ac.uk.
Module Supervisor Dr Sara Polo sara.polo@essex.ac.uk or Module Administrator Jamie Seakens govpgquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Damien Bol
King's College London
Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Government
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