Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies

Core Modules

The core modules listed below are all taught on our central London campus.

• Debates in Terrorism Studies

  This module will challenge you to question what exactly terrorism is, and who can commit acts of terrorism. You will consider the immediate and long-term aims of terrorist groups – and does terrorism ever ‘work’; is terrorism the result of root causes such as poverty and exclusion; is religious extremism a major cause of terrorism? Alongside these and other questions, you will also address the emergence of ‘Critical Terrorism Studies’ and will deal with issues raised by scholars on both sides of the ‘critical/orthodoxy’ divide, and question whether or not this has had a positive impact on the development of this area of study

• Debates in Counter-Terrorism Studies

  The module aims to provide you with an evidence-based understanding of the history and modern nature of counter-terrorism.  The module will focus on different forms of counter-terrorism and will provide a critical assessment of the effectiveness and flaws of different strategies and tactics as well as focus attention on several case studies to illustrate the role and impact of counter-terrorism policies and the lessons that can be learnt from them. The history, context and impact of the various counter-terrorism initiatives will be explored, and trends and patterns identified. States can respond to terrorism and low-intensity conflicts with a range of approaches and these will be explored and critically assessed.

• Dissertation

  The purpose of this dissertation is to provide you with the opportunity to engage in a significant independent research project. You will choose the topic of the research. However, it must focus on an area within the remit of the terrorism and counter-terrorism studies focus of the programme. The dissertation must be an original, independent piece of research which can be either empirical or literature based in nature. Prior to starting the dissertation you must have a research proposal accepted by the dissertation committee. After your dissertation proposal has been accepted you will each be allocated a supervisor who will be able to give you guidance, feedback and support throughout the research process. 

• Academic Integrity

  This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.

   

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

The latter three modules are 15 Credit optional modules offered from Politics, International Relations and Philosophy (PIRP). These are offered at our Egham campus during daytime teaching.

• History of Terrorism

  This module examines the origins of political and state terror, starting with ancient examples like Ghengis Khan and Tamburlaine's city sackings. It also explores more recent instances of state terror, such as Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, and Pol Pot's Cambodia. The French Revolution's 'regime de terreur' is studied as a precursor to modern terrorism. The module traces the evolution of terrorism from 19th-century anarchists and Fenians to anti-colonial movements in the 20th century. Lastly, it explores lessons from the history of terrorism for understanding the phenomenon and shaping current responses to it.

• The Psychology of Terrorism

  The purpose of this module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the role which psychology can play in helping us to understand terrorist involvement. Students will be assessing why people join, stay involved and ultimately leave terrorist groups. Critically assessing the psychological evidence for radicalisation and deradicalisation. This module will challenge students to consider whether or not the psychology of terrorist actors is any different from the psychology of non-terrorist actors. In doing so students will be introduced to concepts and theories from a variety of areas of psychology that may apply to understanding terrorist engagement.

• Contemporary Forms of Terrorism

  This module provides you with a contemporary appreciation, through a number of case studies, of terrorist groups and movements across the globe. By the very nature of this module the content will be significantly updated year by year. However, the aims and learning outcomes will be constant. Using academic literature and research, you will gain an evidence-based understanding of terrorist ideologies, structures, tactics and targets and the impact that terrorist groups and networks have, both nationally and internationally. These will be studied in the context of contemporary debates within terrorism – for example, are we really confronted by what has been called ‘new’ terrorism? If so, what is new about it?

• International Security

  This module introduces you to how the area of security studies has evolved to include ever more transnational dynamics. You will see how scholars have traditionally understood security and how the study of security has developed. You will develop a theoretical and conceptual awareness of the practical issues and problems in Transnational Security Studies, exploring why security has become transnational. You will also look at security communities, alliances and collective security; global security governance; and cyber warfare.

• Media, War and Conflict

  In this module you will examine the theories, concepts and issues surrounding the role of media in war and conflict in the early twenty-first century. The post-9/11 global security situation and the 2003 Iraq war have prompted a marked increase in interest in questions concerning media, war and conflict, and you look at the relationships between media, governments, military, and audiences/publics, in light of old, new, and potential future security events. You will develop an understanding of the theories of media effects in conflict situations, covering a number of important themes, including embedding, sanitisation, legitimacy, and terrorism and publicity. You will explore the role of ethics, technology, and professional norms that inform war reporting, analysing a range of media with consideration for conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues in light of ongoing conflicts around the world.

• Understanding Defence

  In this module you will analyse the content and sources of change in defence policy during the post-Cold War era. You will look at changes to the objectives of defence policy, military capabilities, force structures and doctrines of the world’s major military powers (the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia). In so doing, you will asses the extent to which these reforms have helped the state concerned to meet its central security challenges. In addition, you will develop an understanding of the embedding of defence policies within regional and international institutions and the sources of defence cooperation. You will also see the implications of non-state actors in defence, notably private military companies and non-governmental organisations.