IR4574 Understanding Terrorism

Academic year

2024 to 2025 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

Tues 3pm

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

Module coordinator

Dr J Argomaniz

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

Module Staff

To be confirmed

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 invites students to reflect on the different ways in which scholars have tried to explain the phenomenon of terrorism. It explores the most important explanations in the field and the debates that are central to our understanding of the problem.The course is organised around the key questions that have driven research in the field. Topics range from why individuals radicalise into terrorism and leave it behind, how terrorist organisations are run, why and how a political movement decide to use violence or whether this works. Students are afforded the opportunity to explore these issues through lectures, independent learning, individual and team presentations, debates and teaching seminars.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 hour lectures (11 weeks), 1 hour seminars (12 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

47

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

Guided independent study hours

246

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Explain how the most important questions in Terrorism Studies have been addressed
  • Identify the different theoretical approaches to terrorism
  • Discuss the philosophical underpinnings of these theories
  • Identify and take sides in the main debates in the field
  • Critique and evaluate the body of scholarly work on this topic
  • Effectively apply theory to your own empirical analysis