IR2200 Violent Mobilisation in a Digital Age

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

5

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 8

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

This module is not open to students matriculated on a University degree programme.

Planned timetable

N/A

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

Module coordinator

Dr S V Marsden

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

Module Staff

Dr Sarah Marsden

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

Module description

Violent extremism, radicalisation, and counter-extremism are rapidly growing areas of scholarship and practice which are increasingly difficult to separate from the digital environments in which they often play out. This course introduces students to the main debates across these areas to provide a foundational understanding for those interested in learning more about violent mobilisation. The course will address the persistently high profile of extremism and radicalisation by providing an overall introduction to the debates around radicalisation and counter-radicalisation that will complement the other short courses focused on more discrete areas of scholarship such as the role of ideology or lone actors. Foregrounding the role of the digital environment, the course will draw on a vibrant and growing body of research which explores how technological change has created new sites for violent extremism and produced new forms of counter-terrorism response.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

N/A

Scheduled learning hours

0

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

Guided independent study hours

51

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Discuss how radicalisation has been conceptualised
  • Describe how radicalisation and deradicalisation have been explained
  • Evaluate claims about the role of the online space in radicalisation processes
  • Identify the ethical issues implicated in counter-radicalisation policy and practice
  • Debate the appropriateness of counter-radicalisation policies