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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3565 Terrorism: Concepts, Debates, Cases

20 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Dr Gordon Clubb
Email: G.Clubb@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

PIED 3535 Terrorism and Security

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides an overview of the development of modern terrorism from the use of terrorist violence by groups operating in Israel-Palestine to contemporary transnational movements such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. You will be able to develop a critical, nuanced understanding of the ongoing academic debate about how best to conceptualize terrorism, what makes it succeed/fail and how to judge the threat it poses. You will be able to address these overarching questions in the context of the detailed analysis of a variety of case studies ranging from ethno-nationalist terrorism within the conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians and in Northern Ireland, as well as religiously inspired terrorism by Islamist and other groups

Objectives

This module aims to provide:
- An overview of the development of modern terrorism from the use of terrorist violence by ethno-nationalist groups to contemporary transnational movements.
- A nuanced understanding of the academic debate on the concept of terrorism, its underlying logic and overall effectiveness.
- An in-depth comparison of different forms of terrorist violence ranging from ethno-nationalist, revolutionary to religiously inspired terrorism.
- A critical examination of the interaction between terrorist violence and counterterrorist measures.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge and understanding of the concept of terrorism, including the ability to conceptually differentiate terrorism from other forms of (political) violence,
- Familiarity with the typology of terrorism as well as the variety of corresponding political and social origins and strategies,
- Readiness to engage with the wider academic debate concerning potential root causes, overall effectiveness of terrorist violence, and how terrorism can be stopped.
- Understanding of the challenges which terrorist violence poses for decision-makers in Western democracies.


Syllabus

1.Terrorism: Definition and Concepts
2. The Terrorist Threat
3. Causes of Terrorism
4.How Terrorism Ends: Counter-Terrorism and Disengagement
5.Terrorism and Counterterrorism in the Arab-Israeli Conflict: The Evolution of Palestinian groups and strategies
6.Terrorism and Counterterrorism in the Arab-Israeli Conflict: The Israeli Response
7.The Irish Republican Army and Causes of Violence
8. The Disengagement of the Provisional IRA
9.'Religious' terrorism: The Rise of Al-Qaeda and ISIS
10.Responding to the 'new' threat: countering radicalisation and violent extremism
11. Conclusion and Essay Preparation

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar111.0011.00
Private study hours178.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

In addition to researching and writing one end-of-term essay of 4,000 words, students are required to engage with the required readings for weekly seminars. This means that students need to plan for a weekly reading of roughly four hours to prepare fully for our group discussions in seminar.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment (which is voluntary and does not count towards the final grade):

Tutor-led peer discussion in seminars
Feedback Session Hours (on appointment)
To provide formative feedback for the 4,000-word essay, students will be asked to submit a non-assessed 1,500 word essay on the same topic. Each student will receive comments and feedback to help prepare for the final essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 3,000 word Essay (end of term)100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

2,000 word mid-term essay (Non Assessed)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 22/03/2018

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