IR4526 Extremism, Radicalisation and Terrorism

Academic year

2025 to 2026 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 10

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

To be confirmed

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

Module coordinator

Dr S V Marsden

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

Module Staff

Dr Sarah Marsden

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

Module description

Violent extremism, radicalisation, and counter-extremism are rapidly growing areas of scholarship, and policy and practice. They are also highly contentious. This module examines the debates around these concepts, and the context they have provided for new forms of counter-extremism and counterterrorism policy. Focusing on the micro-dynamics of violence, the module interrogates critical and empirical perspectives on extremism and radicalisation; from those who see them as ways of explaining mobilisation to violence, to those who argue they are discriminatory and subjective framings used to target particular identity groups. By examining how the ‘problem’ of radicalisation is understood, the module critically analyses how policies to counter-radicalisation and extremism have developed and explores different perspectives on their impact and utility.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2 hour seminar (11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

22

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

Guided independent study hours

278

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • critically analyse the concepts of extremism, radicalisation and terrorism
  • evaluate different explanations for radicalisation
  • explain why radicalisation and extremism are contentious
  • debate the utility of different forms of counter-extremism
  • critique state and non-state responses to radicalisation
  • articulate verbally and in written form a theoretically and/ or empirically supported perspective on key debates on radicalisation, extremism and counter-extremism