IR5922 Terrorism after 1945

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

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

Thursdays 11.00am- 1.00pm

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

Module coordinator

Dr J Muller

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

Module Staff

Dr Johannes Müller

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 will provide students with an overview of the evolution, characteristics, and decline of terrorist movements and campaigns since 1945 by looking at different forms of terrorism (ethnic, religious, social-revolutionary) as well as the responses that both states and international organisations have developed in order to cope with it. The module will also address state and state-sponsored terrorism and the problems that arise once a state actor is involved in terrorism. Moreover, it will examine why and under what circumstances terrorism and antiterrorism responses have been successful. Finally, students will take part in a simulation of UN antiterrorism negotiations in which they will represent a country, research this country's experience with and stance on terrorism and advance the respective government's key interest regarding a comprehensive UN antiterrorism convention.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100% (including presentations worth 30%)

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination =100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar + advertised office hours

Scheduled learning hours

46

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

Guided independent study hours

254

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the historical development of the concept of terrorism and its changing characteristics over time
  • Critically examine the efforts that states and international organisations have developed to cope with terrorism
  • Understanding the complexities and political implications of terrorism that is either supported or conducted by states
  • Understand the evolution, ideological underpinnings, targeting rationales, and decline of different types of terrorist movements
  • Discuss whether terrorism and antiterrorism efforts have been successful in achieving their respective objectives
  • Familiarise themselves with present forms of terrorism and possible measures to cope with them