• Class Number 6130
  • Term Code 3160
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Michael Zekulin
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Michael Zekulin
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 26/07/2021
  • Class End Date 29/10/2021
  • Census Date 14/09/2021
  • Last Date to Enrol 02/08/2021
  • TUTOR
    • Matthew Merrington
SELT Survey Results

This course examines the principal issues associated with modern international terrorism and efforts to counter it. The objective of the course is to provide the student with a broad understanding of international terrorism, and to enhance the ability to engage knowledgeably in discussion and debate on the subject. The course considers a wide range of questions in order to provide students with a deeper understanding of the threat of terrorism today. Among the questions it examines are:

How has terrorism evolved over time as a mode of political violence?
What are the defining features of modern terrorism, including ideological principles, political motivations and organisational structure?
What are the challenges associated with modern counter-terroism responses?

Specifically, the course will analyse both terrorism’s effectiveness as a means to achieve political change and the challenges faced by the liberal democratic state in responding to domestic and/or international terrorist campaigns.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. critically analyse the structure, evolution, and dynamics of international terrorist organisations;
  2. analyse the issues pertaining to radicalisation;
  3. apply the various analytical frameworks of terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies; and
  4. demonstrate sound research, writing, and oral presentation skills.

Required Resources

Bruce Hoffman. Inside Terrorism (3rd ed.). Columbia University Press: New York, 2017.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

  • written comments
  • verbal comments
  • feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Syllabus; Administration; Introduction: What is Terrorism?
2 Defining Terrorism.
3 What is Ideology? Types of Terrorism I: Religious
4 Types of Terrorism II: Right-wing
5 Types of Terrorism III: Left-wing; Nationalist/Separatist; “Single-issue”; A History of Terrorism
6 Post 2000 Terrorism: From al-Qaeda to ISIS and beyond
7 Explaining Terrorism
8 Studying Terrorism
9 Radicalization
10 Technology and Terrorism: Communication and Messaging; Lone-actor terrorism
11 Counterterrorism
12 How Terrorism Ends; Review

Tutorial Registration

In-person: Commences July 19th 2021 Online: permission from convenor

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Particpation - 10% 10 % * 1, 2, 3, 4
Terror Group Profile - 15% 15 % 17/08/2021 1, 3, 4
Research Paper - 45% 45 % 12/10/2021 1, 2, 3, 4
Final Exam - 30% 30 % * 1, 2, 3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 10 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Tutorial Particpation - 10%

This class has a tutorial participation requirement. Students are expected to attend their weekly tutorial having read any assigned course material and actively engage with the tutor and their fellow students. The mark for tutorial participation is determined by the tutor. Tutorial participation marks will be determined as followed: .5% for attending and .5% for participation (times 10 tutorials). Participation is based upon evidence of having done the required readings, evidence of having thought about the issues and meaningful contribution and participation and consideration and respect for other class members. It should be noted that simply attending and making one statement per tutorial will not result in a perfect tutorial grade.

 

Tutorials provide a forum for students, under the guidance of tutors, to discuss relevant literature and develop their own ideas. From participation in tutorials, students should improve their abilities to comprehend and respect others’ points of view, offer constructive reflection and criticism, and articulate their ideas clearly and concisely.

 

There are 10 tutorials throughout the semester, and they begin in WEEK 2 (no tutorials in Week 1 or week 12). Please note that once you have selected your tutorial, you are expected to remain in it throughout the semester.

 

Because POLS 3036 is a dual-delivery offering, like the lectures, their will be two formats for tutorials. The first, will be in-person tutorials for those who are on campus. The second will be an online tutorial for those students who are not on campus. Those signing up for in-person tutorials can do so via the course wattle site. Tutorial registration will commence on July 19th, 2021. The online tutorial is reserved for those students who may not participate on-campus, due to reasons such as being overseas, interstate, or at increased health risk.  To sign-up for the online tutorial, students will need to contact the course convenor to discuss their request for the online tutorial and then be manually enrolled.

 

NOTE: for those students attending the online tutorial, video cameras must remain ON so the convenor can accurately determine who is in attendance. The zoom link allows for uploading a background for students who do not wish to share their location

Assessment Task 2

Value: 15 %
Due Date: 17/08/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1, 3, 4

Terror Group Profile - 15%

More details will be provided by the convenor in Week 1

Assessment Task 3

Value: 45 %
Due Date: 12/10/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Research Paper - 45%

More details will be provided by the convenor in Week 1

Assessment Task 4

Value: 30 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Final Exam - 30%

The final exam will test the students’ knowledge of the course material covered in the lectures, assigned readings and tutorials. It may consist of definitions, short answer, and long answer (essay) questions. It will be scheduled by the registrar and occur during the final exam period.

 

Duration: 2 hours (writing)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.


The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.


The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

Dr Michael Zekulin
0261257633
u1028099@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Michael Zekulin

By Appointment
Dr Michael Zekulin
0261257465
michael.zekulin@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Michael Zekulin

By Appointment
Matthew Merrington
matthew.merrington@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Matthew Merrington

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions