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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2010 - 2011

Module Title Political Terrorism
Module Code LG536
School School of Law & Government

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorDr Maura ConwayOffice NumberC232
Level 1 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Module Aims

To develop an understanding of the practice of terrorism.  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 diffrent types of terrorism that have been identified internationally.  It then offers an analysis of some of the purported causes of terrorism, while also exploring the contention that over time there has developed a so-called 'new' terrorism, which may be distinguished from the 'old'.  Al-Qaeda and associated organizations are said to exemplify this 'new' terrorism so these are explored in the final class before Reading Week.  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 exploration of suicide terrorism to be followed by introductions to the issues raised by the intersection of terrorism and the media, and womens involvement in terrorism.  One seminar will also be devoted to an examination of the use of terrorism in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  The course concludes with a description and analysis of states counterterrorism measures, with a particular emphasis on new measures introduced by the US, UK, and EU post 9/11.



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 126
Total 150
Placements
Assignments
NOTE
Assume that a 10 credit module load represents approximately 150 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

Introduction

Defining Terrorism

Types of Terrorism

Causes of Terrorism

''New'' Terrorism vs. ''Old'' Terrorism

Islamism, Al-Qaeda and the GWOT

Suicide Terrorism

Terrorism and the Media

Women and Terrorism

Terrorism and/in the Middle East

Governmental Responses and Counter Measures

Assessment
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Indicative Reading List

Course Texts

  • Russell Howard & Reid Sawyer (Ed.s) 2005. Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations (Second ed.). Connecticut: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin.
  • Combs, Cindy. 2006. Terrorims in the Twenty-First Centuy (Fourth ed.) New Jersey: Pearson-Prentice Hall.

Selection of Required Readings

  • Badey, Thomas J. 1998. Defining International Terrorism: A Pragmatic Approach. Terrorism & Political Violence 10 91).
  • Duyveysten, Isabelle. 2004. How New is the New Terrorism, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, volume 27, number 5.
  • Bloom, Mia. 2004. Palestinian Suicide Bombing: public support, market share and outbidding, Political Science Quarterly 119 (1).
  • Juergensmeyer, Mark. 2001. Terror in the Mind of God. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Reich, Walter (ed.) 1998. Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind. Washington DC: Woodrow Wilson Center Press.
  • Von Hippel, Karin. 2002. The Roots of Terrorism: Probing the Myths. The Political Quarterly 73(1).
  • Raphaeli, Nimrod. 2002. Ayman Muhammad Rabi Al-Zawahiri: The Making of an Arch-Terrorist. Terrorism & Political Violence 14(4).
  • Weimann, Gabriel. 2004. WWW.terror.net: How Modern Terrorism Uses the Internet. Washington DC: United States Institute of Peace.
Programme or List of Programmes
MDEVMA in Development
MIRMA in International Relations
MISCMA in International Security & Conflict
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