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Overview

Course Prescription

Terrorism is a major issue of global concern. In this course, students will learn the definition, history, causes and dynamics of terrorism. They will examine why terrorist organisations emerge, their goals and the causes of their demise. Students also examine the causes of radicalisation of individual terrorists and how governments can counter violent extremism.

Course Overview

Concerns over terrorism have become a part of life worldwide in the twenty-first century. The Global Terrorism Index 2024 (GTI) highlights that it remains a serious global threat, with total deaths from terrorism increasing by 22% to 8,352 in 2023, now at its highest since 2017. Even when excluding Hamas’s October 7th attacks, deaths would still have increased by 5%. This is despite terrorist incidents decreasing by 22% to 3,350, resulting in a 56% increase in the average number of people killed per attack. This is the worst rate in almost ten years.

Terrorism is also among the most debated issues amongst politicians, policymakers, academics, the media and the general public. Yet, what terrorism is and how it is shaped by and shapes politics and society is poorly understood. Discussions often fall prey to unfounded assumptions. This course aims to mediate this lack of knowledge.

This course is not about identifying the 'bad guys'. This course is an introductory study of the politics of terrorism. The course is structured around several questions that include: What terrorism and New Terrorism are? Who becomes a terrorist and why? What is the role of women in terrorism? Can states be terrorists? How are terrorist groups funded? What are the main typologies of terrorism? Is the Web terrorists' best friend? These, and other questions, are explored in a manner that incorporates insights and approaches from various academic disciplines, including international relations, comparative politics, history, sociology, criminology, psychology and political philosophy. Thus framed, the course provides students with the opportunity to develop specific knowledge of terrorism-related issues and the ability to engage with them critically.

Key Topics

By the end of the course, students will gain:

▪ Broad knowledge of some of the main issues related to terrorism.

▪ An understanding of what terrorism is, who is involved, why, how and in what way.

▪ Broad knowledge of the role of women in terrorism.

▪ Broad knowledge of the main terrorist groups and movements and how they operate.

▪ An understanding of the threat posed by terrorism.


On successful completion of the course, students will have developed:

▪ Understand and critically evaluate issues related to the politics of terrorism.

▪ Able to construct reasoned, reflexive arguments on the relationship between politics and terrorism.

▪ Able to present ideas clearly, coherently and persuasively in a variety of forms and to different audiences.

▪ Able to apply the accrued knowledge in academic and industry-relevant settings

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. 

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected for lectures and discussion hours, and required for quizzes and the in-class final exam. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including discussion hours, will not be available as recordings. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery. This course is unavailable for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

The course comprises twelve two-hour lectures and ten one-hour discussion times. There is no discussion hour in week one and week 12. The screen capture recordings of the lectures will be available via Canvas. The course coordinator will introduce concepts, information and context during the lectures and moderate discussions. The discussion hour will be student-centred.

Students must prepare for the lectures and discussion hours via independent research and reading.

The best way for students to prepare is by framing their reading and research to address the 'discussion questions' listed each week. Students should first familiarise themselves with these questions and, secondly, seek to answer them by engaging with the resources listed under each week and independent research. Students are expected to spend, on average, 10.5 hours per week each week.

The weekly resources available for students to prepare for the seminars are: 'Perusall essential resources,' 'recommended resources’, and ‘background resources’.

‘Perusall essential resources’ include two weekly readings. These can be peer-reviewed academic materials and or non-peer-reviewed materials, like reports. These readings are necessary for students to achieve the course’s aims and learning objectives. Students are also assessed on their engagement with these readings (see assessment section).

The ‘recommended resources’ complement the Perusall readings or represent the main readings in the weeks when there is no Perusall assignment. Recommended resources are also a combination of peer-reviewed academic materials and/or non-peer-reviewed materials, like reports, media articles, videos and podcasts. These resources are particularly useful to facilitate stimulating and informed discussion during the student-led part of the lectures and the discussion hour.

The ‘Perusall essential resources’ and the ‘recommended resources’ are available on Canvas in the Talis Reading list under each week's module. However, in completing the Perusall assignment, students must access the Perusall resources via the assignment links on Canvas. There are links in the assignment section and under the corresponding module.

‘Background resources’ include peer-reviewed academic material and non-peer-reviewed material. These help students gain additional valuable insights into the topic studied and the discussion questions. Students are encouraged to engage with some of these resources, proactively seeking answers to the discussion questions. The list of 'background resources' is available in the Course Manual.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.