Upon successful completion of this course, it is intended you will be able to:
1. Interpret the prevailing patterns within global terrorism.
2. Comprehend the complex delineations that exist within the broad rubric of terrorism.
3. Examine how trans-nationalism and globalisation has affected the use of violence and terror.
4. Recognise and comprehend the origins of key terrorist movements and organizations.
5. Evaluate how states have reacted to and managed the problem of terrorism.
6. Assess the theoretical and methodological debates in terrorism studies, security studies and political science broadly defined.
7. Apply key social science concepts and theories when researching and evaluating information, opinions and arguments.

The global geo-political context of terrorism and war is analysed with the central focus directed to the evolution of global terrorism and the forms it has taken in the post-WWII and post-Cold War era. Terrorism is one of many challenges to the sovereign power of nation-states and the most pressing of the political problems associated with this ‘global crisis’ of terrorism will be evaluated. Students explore this challenge essentially through themes inclusive of terror organizations/movements and their development, the complex relationship between terrorism groups and insurgency movements, and the response of modern nation-states and the international community to various types of terrorist organizations. Students apply critical reasoning to complex issues through independent and collaborative research.

The course content will be drawn from but not restricted to:

1. Discussions of the socio-political origin of terrorism as a means of achieving certain ends.
2. The conceptual understanding of different types of terrorist organizations and movements including differences and similarities in sacred and secular terror and the various ideological justifications that have been employed to sanction armed insurgency and terror.
3. Case studies of specific terrorist and insurgency movements in South/South Asia, Middle East and Europe.
4. The public policy response to terror including most significantly the US response to 9/11.
5. The relationship between terrorist organizations and the mass media.
6. The relationship between national liberation struggles and terrorist organizations.

Email registration by 1 March essential

Active seminar participation, written assignments. For more details, contact the teacher. Final course requirements will be given in the course syllabus.