IR5923 State Responses to Terrorism

Academic year

2023 to 2024 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Thursday 10am - 12noon (except week 5 Wednesday 14th February 10am - 12 noon)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr K J McConaghy

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr N Brooke

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module takes a multi-faceted approach to studying state responses to terrorism. It addresses the effectiveness and crucially, the ethical implications of particular kinds of counter-terrorism, as well as the wider impact that responding to terrorism has on conflicts, and the relationship between states, terrorists, and society. Topics range from historical to contemporary debates, from domestic examples to international. Students are afforded the opportunity to delve deeper into case studies, exploring responses to terrorism in detail and gaining an appreciation for the role that counter-terrorism has had in shaping conflicts, for better and worse. Through integrated learning and teaching seminars, students will debate and discuss such issues as the security-liberty nexus, the effect that new technology such as drones has had on counter-terrorism, the value of intelligence, and the central importance of respect for civil liberties in defending society from non-state terrorism.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour teaching and learning seminar (x 11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

52

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

234

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Formulate clear and concise written arguments in a range of formats, supported by academic and policy evidence.
  • Evaluate historical and contemporary state counterterrorism policy, strategy and tactics in terms of their effectiveness and ethical appropriateness
  • Engage critically with a wide range of scholarship on the subjects of terrorism and counterterrorism.
  • Explain the ways in which counterterrorism practices have impacted upon civil liberties and human rights.