| Unit name | Understanding ‘Terrorism’ |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL30065 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Miller |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit aims to examine how ‘terrorism’ and political violence are explained, constructed, mediated, researched, thought and communicated about and with what effect and provides you with the theoretical material necessary to understand the way that ideas about terrorism and political violence are used in society.
The unit also introduces you to the history and practice of debates on the issue of terrorism and violence; these debates have become more urgent and much more widespread in the period since 11 September 2001.
The unit focuses first on questions of definition: what is a ‘terrorist’ and when is violence justified? When does a ‘terrorist’ become a ‘freedom fighter’? It goes on to ask how the prevailing definitions come to be produced, circulated and reproduced or challenged.
The unit provides theoretical context for students interested in understanding and investigating political violence and conflict.
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
1. Understand the contested nature of the concept of terrorism and the contending policy approaches to ‘terrorism’.
2. Evaluate theoretical approaches, ideas and arguments about political violence and terrorism.
3. Identify how ideas about 'terrorism' inform public, policy and social science debates about violence and its resolution or amelioration.
This unit will draw on a blended learning approach. Students will engage with asynchronous taught content (including, for example, narrated slides and other teaching and research materials) and will be tasked to complete activities in preparation for synchronous sessions to present and discuss ideas and clarify learning.
Part 1: 1,000 word report (25%)
Part 2: 2,000 word essay (75%)
Both assessments test all ILOs listed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOL30065).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
