IR3008 International Terrorism

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

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 9

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

12.00 noon Thu

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

Module coordinator

Dr F P Lehr

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 examines the concept of terrorism; problems of definition; nature and characteristics and relationships to other forms of violence; typology; political objectives, strategies and motivations; underlying causes of rise and decline of terrorism; dilemmas of democratic and international response; aviation terrorism; terrorism and diplomacy; the problem of state sponsorship and support; problems of international co-operation, including the use of diplomacy, international law and organisation, and police and intelligence measures.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 1-hour lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 10 weeks), 2 consultation hours with Coordinator (x 12 weeks). 2 hours examination feedback in week 1 of following semester.

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

  • Develop a knowledge and understanding of how terrorism can be described and defined.
  • Develop a knowledge of the historical antecedents and causes of modern terrorism.
  • Develop an understanding of the diverse aims, motivations and justifications of contemporary terrorist movements.
  • Develop an appreciation of the impact and effects that terrorism has had on government, the security forces, the media, the public, and international politics in general.
  • Develop an understanding of the difficulties and prospects of resolving terrorism for states, using the wide repertoire of available instruments from the counter-terrorism toolbox.
  • Develop a knowledge and understanding of the role of the social sciences in research on terrorism.