Introduction to Terrorism Studies
Module title | Introduction to Terrorism Studies |
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Module code | SOC3112 |
Academic year | 2022/3 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Professor Katharine Boyd (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
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Module description
This 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, as well as rates and trends of terrorism. You will learn about major data sources used to analyse the subject. You will be taught basic statistical analysis with terrorism data.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module is an introduction to terrorism studies. We will discuss the major data sources used to empirically examine terrorism, the rates and trends in terrorism cross-nationally, whether groups differ in how they operate, the geopolitical factors that influence terrorism, as well as policy implications
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate good knowledge of terrorism: the history, as well as rates and trends over time
- 2. Critically assess data sources used to study terrorism
- 3. Critically assess how rates of terrorism differ among groups and across countries
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of key concepts pertaining to political and religiously motivated violence
- 5. Demonstrate detailed understanding of theories and arguments in the field
- 6. Demonstrate the different methods of research in the field and their implications for relevant policy
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. Analyze quantitative data using statistical tools
- 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:
- Definition debate
- History of modern terrorism
- Collecting data on terrorism
- Analysing terrorism data
- Theoretical explanations for terrorism
- Radicalisation
- Terrorist groups
- Brief case study: Waves of Al Qaeda
- Geopolitical factors
- Research methods for the study of terrorism
- Terrorism incident databases
- Terrorism rates and trends
- Counterterrorism implications
- ISIS case study: group history, propaganda, violence trajectory
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 22 x 1 hour lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour tutorials |
Guided Independent Study | 90 | Reading assignments |
Guided independent study | 48 | Preparing for seminars |
Guided independent study | 118 | Preparation for essays |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Presentation | 5 minutes | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 | Written |
Poster presentation | 1 poster of statistical analysis for essay preparation | 2, 3, 6, 8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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ELE test | 30 | 1 hour | 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 | Written |
Essay | 40 | 2,500 words | 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 | Written |
Data Assignment | 30 | 2,000 words | 1, 2, 4, 9 | Written |
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0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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ELE test | ELE test (1 hour) | 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
Essay | Essay (2,500 words) | 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
Data Assignment | Data Assignment (2,000 words) | 1, 2, 4, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Re-assessment will be calculated and weighted in the same manner as assessment during the regularly schedule. Note: a separate, but comparable, examination will be provided for re-assessment.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
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.
Jessica Stern and J.M. Berger (2015). ISIS: The State of Terror. Harper Collins Publisher.
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.
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 6 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 23/01/2018 |
Last revision date | 30/12/2021 |