IR5955 State Responses to Terrorism (Distance learning)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Full Year

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.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students taking the distance learning mode of Terrorism and Political Violence

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

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

Module coordinator

Dr K J McConaghy

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

Module Staff

Dr K J McConaghy (Semester 1) Dr N Brooke (Semester 2)

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 takes a multi-faceted approach to studying state responses to terrorism. It addresses the effectiveness and crucially, the ethical implications of particular kinds of counter-terrorism, as well as the wider impact that responding to terrorism has on conflicts, and the relationship between states, terrorists, and society. Topics range from historical to contemporary debates, from domestic examples to international. Students are afforded the opportunity to delve deeper into case studies, exploring responses to terrorism in detail and gaining an appreciation for the role that counter-terrorism has had in shaping conflicts, for better and worse. Through integrated learning and teaching seminars, students will debate and discuss such issues as the security-liberty nexus, the effect that new technology such as drones has had on counter-terrorism, the value of intelligence, and the central importance of respect for civil liberties in defending society from non-state terrorism.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IR5951

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Distance learners having separate video or audio lectures and attend tutorials via video conferencing. Online support.

Scheduled learning hours

26

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

286

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Formulate clear and concise written arguments in a range of formats, supported by academic and policy evidence.
  • Evaluate historical and contemporary state counterterrorism policy, strategy and tactics in terms of their effectiveness and ethical appropriateness
  • Engage critically with a wide range of scholarship on the subjects of terrorism and counterterrorism.
  • Explain the ways in which counterterrorism practices have impacted upon civil liberties and human rights.