Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04
International terrorism and counterterrorism are at the top of today’s agenda – of scholarly debates in International Relations (IR) as well as of policy discussions on international politics. The course focuses on both the (individual and/or structural) causes and different manifestations of terrorism and reviews the debates on how to respond to terrorism not only effectively but also without violating humanitarian principles and international law. The course is interdisciplinary and will provide both an overview on current research on international terrorism and counterterrorism in IR and also with in-depth knowledge of core aspects of the issue.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Course Aims:
International terrorism and counterterrorism are at the top of today's agenda of scholarly debates in International Relations (IR) as well as of policy discussions on international politics. The course examines these debates by focusing, on the one hand, on the (individual and/or structural) causes and different manifestations of terrorism and, on the other hand, by reviewing the debates on how to respond to terrorism not only effectively but also without violating humanitarian principles and international law.
Main Learning Outcomes:
1. An understanding of the processes, theories, and empirical regularities of the issues surrounding international terrorism.
2. An ability to employ critical thinking and demonstrate social scientific literacy, including basic quantitative literacy.
3. A capacity to utilize contemporary social science research methods to conduct rigorous research on political phenomena.
4. Effective written communication skills, especially the ability to convey complex concepts and information in a clear and concise manner.
5. An ability to apply abstract theory and research methods to understand contemporary political events and public policies.
Content:
The course is split into three sections: First, by looking into historical and current discussions on how to define terrorism, the course not only provides students with a historically attuned understanding of the subject as opposed to the presentism dominating the years since September 11. It also revolves around the central questions of terrorism and counterterrorism, namely: what is terrorism? And can (and should) it be defined? Second, what causes international terrorism? How can it be explained? The course covers the various contemporary theoretical approaches to comprehend the causes of terrorism (ranging from theorizations in sociology or peace and conflict studies to approaches in political science and IR). Finally, what challenges does counterterrorism face? The course examines the responses to terrorism of selected states and international institutions and discusses their effects on global order and states, on international institutions and on societies with a special emphasis on the (changing) relationship between the state and its citizens. Overall, the course aims to provide students with an overview on current research on international terrorism and counterterrorism in IR and neighbouring disciplines but also with in-depth knowledge on core aspects of the issue.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
Group report (30%)
Essay 3,500 words (50%)
Peer and self review (20%)
Resit (for students who took the course in Academic Year 2020/21):
Essay 3,500 words
Resit (for students who took the course in Academic Year 2019/20 or for C8 students):
1-week take-home exam
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Able to identify the core aspects of local/national and international/transational terrorism using information provided in case studies and the most recent academic literature in the field. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Able to critically analyse the different theories regarding the causes of terrorism using the most recent academic literature in the field. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Able to critically examine and evaluate the different responses of states and international organisations to terrorism using information provided in case studies and academic literature in the field. |
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