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Transnational Security and Terrorism

Module description

This module address issues related to transnational security with a special focus on terrorism and extremism.  The module uses diverse methods, from lectures to class discussions, debates, videos and documentaries, and podcasts to highlight important issues related to terrorism and transnational security. This is an MA level module. It does not have any pre-requisites; however, prior knowledge of the topic is helpful.  The module is suitable for MA in IR, CSD, and any other interdisciplinary pathways. The module is formally assessed through two essays, with the opportunity to write an essay plan in advance.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In terms of knowledge, the aim of this module is to cover a wide range of topics that are related to terrorism and transnational security. The module begins by introducing transnational security and conceptual debates on terrorism.  It will continue with theories and practices in security studies, and studies of terrorism from social, psychological and religious perspectives.  The module also covers topics such as transnational terrorism and organised crime,  cyber security and terrorism, terrorism and security issues in conflict and post/conflict societies and will conclude by discussing AI and the future of terrorism and transnational security. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of terrorism as a form of political violence, and transnational security issue.
• 2. Demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of transnational security issues that are connected and enforce terrorism.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Appreciate the complexities of the topic and the interlinkages between politics, sociology, economics and legal perspectives aimed at providing a wholistic understanding of terrorism.
• 4. Acquire and display a range of conceptual frameworks and theories from various relevant fields.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Demonstrate empathic appreciation of policy decisions.
• 6. Demonstrate awareness of contingency in decision-making processes.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Introduction to transnational security studies
• Conceptual debates on terrorism
• Theories and practices of transnational security
• Socio-psychological studies of terrorism
• Religion and global terrorism
• The nexus of transnational organised crime and terrorism
• Counter terrorism and counter extremism
• AI and the future of terrorism as a transnational security issue

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Hof, Tobias, and Klaus Larres. 2022. Terrorism and Transatlantic Relations: Threats and Challenges. Security, Conflict and Cooperation in the Contemporary World. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
• Hoffman, Bruce, and Jacob Ware. 2024. God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America. New York: Columbia University Press.
• Ibrahimi, S. Yaqub. 2022. International Security in a World of Fragile States: Islamic States and Islamist Organizations. University of Michigan Press.
• Mason, Robert, ed. 2020. Transnational Security Cooperation in the Mediterranean. 1st ed. 2021 edition. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Maras, MH, (2014), Transnational Security. CRS Press.
• Baele, Stephane J., Katharine Boyd, Travis G. Coan, and Elahe Naserian. 2023. “Lethal Words: An Integrated Model of Violent Extremists’ Language.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 1–27.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/
• www.icc-cpi.int
• www.interpol.int
• www.europa.eu
• ELE
• Mehran, Weeda, Stephen Herron, Ben Miller, Anthony F. Lemieux, and Maura Conway. 2022. “Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Largescale Comparative Analysis of Extreme Right and Jihadi Online Text(s).” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 0 (0): 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2022.2071712