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2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PIED5564M Counterterrorism

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Lars Berger
Email: l.berger@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

‘Counterterrorism’ provides students with an advanced understanding of the issue of terrorism and a comprehension of some of the problems developing and developed countries face in responding to this threat. Discussions of academic attempts to examine manifestations of (counter-)terrorism across time and space will equip students with the analytical tools to systematically evaluate and critique varying national and international responses.

Objectives

This module aims to provide:
- A familiarity with the key debates within (critical) terrorism studies scholars concerning the nature of the terrorism threat.
- An understanding of the challenges which state actors (democratic and authoritarian) and international organisations (EU, NATO) face in responding to the threat of terrorism.
- An appreciation of the range of political and institutional influences that shape counter-terrorism policy.
- Analytical tools to systematically assess the impact of the changing character of terrorism on national and international responses and how, in turn, counterterrorism measures have shaped the use of terrorist violence by non-state actors.
- The opportunity to develop transferable skills such as the appreciation of different interests and the ability to defend a point of view in the seminars.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate:
- A nuanced understanding of the political context of counter-terrorism policies across a range of (intern-)national actors;
- An ability to contextualize and assess the policy instruments which states and international organisations choose in responding to the threat of terrorism;
- A capacity to evaluate in depth the difficulties that democratic states face in balancing the requirements of security and civil liberties;
- An appreciation of how the changing nature of terrorism is likely to impact future directions of counterterrorism policy.

Syllabus

- The domestic dimension of counterterrorism: Civil liberties versus security
- Counterterrorism as on object of foreign policy: Hard versus Soft Power Approaches
- Case study: Targeted Killings
- Case study: Countering state sponsored terrorism
- Case study: Countering terrorism in 'failing' states

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			140.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

In addition to researching and writing one essay of 3,000 words, students are required to engage with the required readings for weekly seminars. This means that students spend roughly four hours per week preparing for our group discussions in seminar.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored via weekly seminar discussions as well as the essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 3000 Word Essay (End of Semester)	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2016

Disclaimer

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