Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2006 - 2007

Module Title	Political Terrorism
Module Code	LG536
School	School of Law & Government
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Maura Conway	Office Number	C232
Level	1	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

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 begins
with an introduction to the definitional problems associated with
terrorism as a concept and an exploration of the different types of
terrorism that have been identified internationally. It then offers a
description and analysis of the move from international to global
terrorism, with a special emphasis on Middle Eastern and Islamist
groups, while also exploring the contention that over time there has
developed a so-called â€˜newâ€™ terrorism, which may be distinguished from
the â€˜old.â€™ The second half of the course is concerned with some of the
major issues in contemporary terrorism studies. To that end, it begins
with an examination of Al Qaeda, Islamism, and the Global War on
Terrorism. It continues with an exploration of suicide terrorism to be
followed by introductions to the issues raised by the intersection of
terrorism and the media, and womenâ€™s involvement in terrorism. One
seminar will also be devoted to the description and analysis of statesâ€™
counterterrorism measures, with a particular emphasis on new measures
introduced by the US, UK, and EU post-9/11. The course concludes with a
discussion of the problems with contemporary terrorism research and an
analysis of likely future trends.

Learning Outcomes

Students who fulfill the module requirements will acquire:

- a knowledge of the historical antecedents and causes of modern terrorism

- an understanding of the diverse aims, motivations, and justifications
of contemporary terrorists

- a clear appreciation of the impact and effects that terrorism has had
on government, the security forces, the media, the public, and
international politics in general

- an understanding of the roles of states in counterterrorism

- a feel for the range of academic research that has been conducted in
this area and the problems with same.

Students will also develop their capacity to present these discussions
in an articulate fashion during seminars, and with a high degree of
analytical precision in written work.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	24
Tutorials
Laboratories
Seminars
Independent Learning Time	51

Total	75
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

   1. Introduction: Defining Terrorism
   2. Types of Terrorism I: Anti-Colonial, Nationalist-Separatist,
      Left-Wing and Right-Wing Movements
   3. Types of Terrorism II: Religious Movements
   4. The Middle East: From International Terrorism to Global Terrorism
   5. â€˜Newâ€™ Terrorism vs. â€˜Oldâ€™ Terrorism
   6. Islamism, Al-Qaeda, and the GWOT
   7. Suicide Terrorism
   8. Terrorism and the Media
   9. Women and Terrorism
10. Governmental Responses and Counter Measures
11. The State of the Research & Future Trends

Assessment
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Indicative Reading List

Course texts· Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism, 1998· David Whittaker, The Terrorism Reader, 2001 · Noam Chomsky, 9-11, 1998 Selection of required readings:· Daniel Byman “The Logic of Ethnic Terrorism”, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Volume 21, Issue 2, 1998· Isabelle Duyveysten, “How New is the New Terrorism”, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Volume 27, Number 5, 2004.· Pavel Baev, “Instrumentalising Counterterrorism for Regime Consolidation in Putin’s Russia”, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Volume 27, Number 4, 2004.· Mia Bloom, “Palestinian Suicide Bombing: public support, market share and outbidding”, Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 119, No. 1, Spring 2004.· Andrew Kydd and Barbara Walter, “Sabotaging the Peace: the Politics of Extremist Violence”, International Organization, Vol. 56, No. 2, Spring 2002. · Jeroen Gunning, “Peace with Hamas? The Transforming potential of political participation”, International Affairs, Vol. 80, No. 2, March 2004. · Khaled Hroub, Hamas. Political Thought and Practice, 1998.· Kazem Alamdari, "Terrorism cuts across the East and the West: deconstructing Lewis's Orientalism", Third World Quarterly, Vol. 24, No. 1, 2003.· William Shepard, “Sayyid Qutb’s Doctrine of Jahiliyya”, International Journal of Middle East Studies, Vol. 35, No. 3, 2003.

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