IR5007 Terrorism and Liberal Democracy

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesday 2-4pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr T K Wilson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Various

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module addresses: conceptual and definitional issues concerning terrorism; the relationship of terrorism to other forms of political violence; the origins, dynamics and development of contemporary terrorism; the efficacy of terrorism as a political weapon; the dilemmas and challenges of liberal democratic state responses to terrorism; and case studies in terrorism and counter-terrorism. The module is convened by specialists from the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) and the School of International Relations.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination =100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 hour lecture, 1.5 hour tutorial per week + advertised office hours

Intended learning outcomes

  • A knowledge and understanding of the evolving relationship between political violence and liberal democracy in ‘mature’ democracies
  • An in-depth understanding of several leading democracies’ experiences of terrorism on an individual country basis
  • A normative understanding of state responses to terrorism, and how they should be shaped both in the domestic and foreign policy arenas
  • An understanding of the diverse aims, motivations and politics of a range of terrorist movements
  • An understanding of the particular challenges of building viable democracies in ethnically divided societies with a long history of violence
  • An appreciation of the impact and effects of terrorism on government, the security forces, the media, the public, society and international politics.