Module: Political Terrorism

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Political Terrorism
Module Code	LG536 (ITS) / POL1082 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Maura Conway
Module Teachers	Iain McMenamin, James Fitzgerald, Walt Kilroy
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

The events of 9/11 highlighted not only the destructive capacity of international terrorism, but also its broader impact upon the international system. This course examines some of the key dimensions of international terrorism, both historical and contemporary. It is structured around a single central question: Is it both possible and useful to distinguish between so-called 'old' and 'new' terrorism(s)?

Learning Outcomes

1. Comprehend the difficulties surrounding the definition of terrorism, along with terrorism s historical antecedents, identified types, and purported causes
2. Debate Terrorism Studies current 'hot' topics, particularly the alleged division between 'old' versus 'new' terrorism
3. Compare and contrast states counterterrorism strategies, particularly those developed/amended post-9/11
4. Analyse the range of academic research that has been conducted in this area and the problems with same
5. Critically engage with descriptions and analyses of terrorism/sub-state political violence appearing in the mass media
6. Address all topics raised within the module with a high degree of analytical precision in written work

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	11	1 Hr weekly
Lecture	11	1 Hr weekly
Directed learning	33	Set reading in preparation for seminar
Directed learning	33	Set reading in preparation for seminar
Seminars	11	1 Hr in-class discussion following lecture and based on assigned readings
Seminars	11	1 Hr in-class discussion following lecture and based on assigned readings
Independent Study	100	Student-selected reading in preparation for Essays (x2)
Independent Study	100	Student-selected reading in preparation for Essays (x2)
Assignment Completion	71	Planning and write-up of Essays (x2)
Assignment Completion	71	Planning and write-up of Essays (x2)
Lecture	18	Film screening and accompanying lectures x6
Lecture	18	Film screening and accompanying lectures x6
Online activity	6	Online discussion re. films (x6)
Online activity	6	Online discussion re. films (x6)
Total Workload: 500

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Defining Terrorism
There is no universally accepted defintion of terrorism; discussion of academic and policy defintions of terrorism and the rationales behind differing approaches to defining terrorism is therefore vital

Types of Terrorism
Treatment of left-wing, right-wing, and jihadi terrorism, etc.

Causes of Terrorism
Exploration of both top-down or structural causes and bottom-up/individual or psychological explanations, along with so-called 'mid-range' theories

'New' Terrorism vs. 'Old' Terrorism
Poses Q. of whether there are quantitative and qualitative differences between so-called 'old' and 'new' terrorism

Islamism, Al-Qaeda and the GWOT
Exploration of the emergence, development and ideology of violent jihadis, incl. al-Qaeda

Suicide Terrorism
Treatment of the history, mechanisms, and potential causes of suicide terrorism strategies

Terrorism and the Media
Exploration of the role of 'old' and 'new' media in so-called 'old' and 'new' terrorism

Women and Terrorism
Poses questions re. gendered aspects of terrorism

Governmental Responses and Counter Measures
Survey of counterterrorism measures, incl. historically and changes post-9/11

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	Your essay should be no more than 3,000 words in length (not including footnotes and bibliography). It should describe and analyse the history and violence strategy/strategies of one of the following groups with the purpose of identifying whether the chosen group is more appropriately categorised as ‘old’ or ‘new.’ The groups are al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Hamas, Hizbollah, the Real IRA, and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Give your essay an appropriate title.	40%
Essay	Your essay should be no more than 3,000 words in length (not including footnotes and bibliography). It essay should describe and analyse either the media strategy of or the role of women in one of the following groups. The groups are al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Narodnaya Volya, and the Red Army Faction. Give your essay an appropriate title.	40%
Participation	Your contribution to online discussion of the lectures and films screened as part of LG593 will account for the remainder of your final grade. The film screenings will take place every Wednesday for six consecutive weeks (with the exception of Reading Week) in the context of LG593. Each film will be introduced by a guest speaker and a Q&A session will follow the screening of the film. You will be assessed on the quality and quantity of your contribution to the follow-up online discussion and by the connections you make therein between the topics treated in the films and the academic literature.	20%

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Hoffman, Bruce: 2006, Inside Terrorism, Revised & Expanded Ed., Columbia University Press, New York,
Nacos, Brigitte: 2006, Terrorism and Counterterrorism, Penguin Academics, New York,
Richardson, Louise: 2007, What Terrorists Want., John Murray, London,

Other Resources

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