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Introduction to Terrorism Studies

Module description

This Q-Step module will expose you to the controversial topic of terrorism and how research is conducted on this subject.  You will learn about the history of political and religiously motivated violence, the subjective and debated definition of terrorism, why people radicalise towards violence, the nature of propaganda, as well as rates and trends of terrorism. This module is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students and has no prerequisite modules.

Module aims - intentions of the module

It is important to be a discerning citizen and recognize how research can inform policy making decisions. The aim of the module is to inspire a genuine engagement with the research on terrorism by exposing you to how the subject matter is discussed and studied.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. demonstrate knowledge of terrorism: the history, as well as rates and trends over time;
• 2. demonstrate an understanding of how terrorism is studied;
• 3. assess theories of terrorism and radicalisation;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. demonstrate understanding of key concepts pertaining to political and religiously motivated violence;
• 5. demonstrate understanding of theories and arguments in the field;
• 6. demonstrate a familiarity with how terrorism is researched;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 7. engage in group work to prepare presentations for class discussion;
• 8. demonstrate knowledge of theoretical arguments and the ability to articulate and evaluate them;
• 9. demonstrate written analytical skills by producing an essay on deadline.

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 themes:

1. History of terrorism and the definition debate
2. Theoretical explanations for terrorism
3. Radicalization
4. Terrorist groups
5. Brief case study: Waves of Al Qaeda
6. Geopolitical factors
7. Research methods for the study of terrorism
8. Terrorism research approaches
9. Terrorism rates and trends
10. Counterterrorism implications
11. Conclusion: Relationship between terrorist group and geopolitical factors

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)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Andrew Silke. (2004). Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievements and Failures. Routledge Press.

Brian Forst. (2008). Terrorism, Crime, and Public Policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Clark McCauley and Sophia Moskalenco. (2011). Friction: How radicalization happens to them and us. New York: Oxford University Press.

Gary LaFree and Laura Dugan (2007). Introducing the Global Terrorism Database. Terrorism and Political Violence. 19:181-204.

Marc Sageman. (2008). Leaderless Jihad. University of Pennsylvania Press

Robert Pape. (2003). The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism. American Political Science Review 97(3): 343-361.

Steven M. Chermak, Joshua D. Freilich, William Parkin, and James P. Lynch. (2012). American terrorism and extremist crime data sources and selectivity bias: An investigation focusing on homicide events committed by far-right extremists. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 28(1): 191-218.

Victor Asal and J. Wilkenfeld (2013). Ethnic conflict: An organizational perspective. Penn State Journal of Law and International Affairs 2(1): 91-102.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Key words search

Terrorism, extremism, radicalisation