| Module Title |
Political Terrorism |
| Module Code |
POL1082 (ITS: LG536) |
|
Faculty |
Law & Government |
School |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
|
NFQ level |
9 |
Credit Rating |
10 |
|
|
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
|
| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 Hr weekly | | Directed learning | 33 | Set reading in preparation for seminar | | 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) | | Assignment Completion | 71 | Planning and write-up of Essays (x2) | | Lecture | 18 | Film screening and accompanying lectures x6 | | Online activity | 6 | Online discussion re. films (x6) | | Lecture | 11 | 1 Hr weekly | | Directed learning | 33 | Set reading in preparation for seminar | | 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) | | Assignment Completion | 71 | Planning and write-up of Essays (x2) | | Lecture | 18 | Film screening and accompanying lectures x6 | | Online activity | 6 | Online discussion re. films (x6) |
| Total Workload: 500 |
|
|
| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 20943 | Part of Term | Semester 2 | | Coursework | 0% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | Y | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Maura Conway | Module Teacher | Iain McMenamin, James Fitzgerald, Walt Kilroy |
|
| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| 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% | Week 1 | | 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% | Week 1 | | 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% | Week 1 |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
|
|
Pre-requisite |
None
|
|
Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
|
|
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
|
Indicative Reading List
Books:
- 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,
Articles:
- Brooke, Steven: 2008, Jihadist Strategic Debates before 9/11, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 31(3), 46187
- 2005: Embedded Expertise and the New Terrorism, Jc2m: Journal for Crime, Conflict, and the Media, 1(4), 46188, 1
- The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism: American Political Science Review, 97(3), 46189, 1, Rapoport, David C.
- Current History: December, 46190, 1, Schmid. Alex P., 2004
- 16(2):
|
Other Resources
None |
|
|
|
|
