IR4581 Debates in Terrorism and Political Violence

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 11am - 1pm Tues 2-4pm

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

Module coordinator

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 Staff

Dr Nick Brooke

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

Module description

Terrorism is a topic that has fascinated scholars and the public for decades, and has led to fierce debates on some of the most important aspects including labelling: are these ‘terrorists’ or ‘freedom fighters’, and does this matter? Is military force an appropriate response to terrorism? What role should private companies play in preventing the spread of extremism? Should states negotiate with terrorists? These are debates that have spread from policy and academic spheres to the public and have had an immense impact on national and international politics. Through student-led debates, this module will critically examine dominant narratives put forward to these topics, drawing on theories of ‘radicalisation’ and examining concepts of ‘root causes’ of terrorism. Drawing from various methodological and theoretical perspectives applied to the studies of terrorism and violence, this format encourages students to assess various sides of some of the most contentious issues in this field.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2005 AND PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar (11 weeks), 2 consultation hours with Coordinator (x 12 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours

22

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

Guided independent study hours

288

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of this module the students should be able to critically assess dominant narratives on terrorism, counterterrorism and political violence
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to explain the importance of language in the discussion of political violence in its various forms.
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to explain the different interpretations of the role of the state with regards to terrorism and political violence.
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to describe theories that seek to explain the causes of terrorism, and how counter-terrorism should be pursued.
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to critically assess how to measure the effectiveness of a terrorist campaign, or a state's response.
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to present verbally, or in written form, an argument on one or many perspectives with regards to a key issue in the field of terrorism and political violence.