Terrorism, in the contemporary study of International Relations and Security Studies is a congested area of analysis. This has resulted in a growing program of study to understand this phenomenon and its place in today’s international system. 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 to provide students with a deeper understanding of the threat of terrorism today. Among the questions it examines are:

• What is terrorism?
• How has the threat of terrorism changed over time?
• What motivates different types of terrorist groups?
• When does terrorism succeed and fail?
• How can terrorism best be fought?

Specifically, the course will analyze 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. demonstrate an historical familiarity with the origins and uses of terrorism and its re-emergence at different times in different locales;
2. demonstrate a critical awareness of the key concepts and attempts to theorize terrorism and counter-terrorism in history, most especially in the modern period. Within this, the student will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the role of terrorism as a common, if not universal, feature of state formation;
3. comprehend, as IR and Strategic analysts, the need to contextualize terrorism so that both an intellectual understanding and sound policy advice (if required) might emerge. This is not to apologise for terrorism but to plead the case for the understanding which must precede all discussion of it; and
4. reflect critically on arrangements conducted in the name of counter-terrorism which are currently at the core of national security in general and numerous wars and/or interventions more particularly.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Syllabus; Administration; Introduction: What is Terrorism?
2	Defining Terrorism
3	Types of Terrorism; “Contemporary” Terrorism
4	Studying Terrorism; Critical Terrorism Studies
5	Explaining Terrorism; “Causes” of Terrorism
6	MOVIE: The Battle of Algiers
7	Scheduled Meetings for Proposals
8	Current Challenges I: Radicalization
9	Current Challenges: “Homegrown Terrorism;” “Lone Actor” Terrorism; Rise of RW Ideology and Terrorism
10	Counterterrorism I
11	Counterterrorism II
12	The Future of Terrorism; Conclusion

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Reading Review	10 %	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Research Paper	35 %	29/03/2023	1, 2, 3, 4
Proposal	10 %	14/04/2023	1, 2, 3, 4
Research Paper 2	45 %	24/05/2023	1, 2, 3, 4

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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.

Participation

Participation during weekly lectures is not formally assessed. However, because this is an honors/postgraduate course, it is assumed that students will attend classes, complete the assigned readings and engage in debate and discussion with both the instructor and their peers. To this end, if a student misses more than 3 classes without legitimate reasons (illness or extenuating unforeseen circumstances), the instructor reserves the right to either a) declare the student has not fulfilled the course requirements and fail the student, or b) assign extra reading and writing assignments to determine that the student understands the course material assigned the week(s) they were absent.

Assessment Task 1

Reading Review

Each student will be responsible for one assigned reading during the semester (to be chosen by students’ week 2). Students will be asked to lead the class discussion on that reading for the week. This review is designed to help students reflect and analyze course readings and become comfortable presenting and leading discussions among a small group. Students should avoid simply summarizing the article. Instead, it should provide original insight or observation based on that reading. They may discuss the student’s own thoughts and opinions (Did the student agree or disagree with the author; were there points which the students felt needed expanding or additional explanation; the student may also tie the article to additional articles read that week to create a wider analysis of themes). Further guidance will be provided on the first day of class.

Assessment Task 2

Research Paper

Each student will be responsible for a short research paper, approximately 2000 words in length. The paper is due Wednesday March 29th, 2023. The instructor will provide the topic for this exercise. More details will be provided in class and an outline detailing the specifics of the assignment will be posted to Wattle during Week 1. 

Assessment Task 3

Proposal

Each student will also be responsible for a short research paper, approximately 3000 words in length. For this submission students will be permitted to choose a topic and write a research paper on an issue related to terrorism or counterterrorism which particularly interests them. Please note that the instructor must approve all student topics. To this end there will be a 400-word proposal due on Friday April 14th, 2023. Students will then schedule a meeting with the instructor on Wednesday April 19th, 2023 to discuss their proposal (see below). The final research paper is due Wednesday May 24th, 2023. More details will be provided in class and an outline detailing the specifics of the assignment will be posted to Wattle during Week 6. 

 

 

Proposal: Students will schedule a meeting with the instructor during office hours OR class time (10:00 - 14:00) on Wednesday April 19th to discuss their proposal. Each student will have 15 - 20 minutes to outline their proposal, answer questions and receive feedback and suggestions from the instructor. While this should not be viewed as a formal presentation, students are expected to informally explain and outline their proposal and NOT simply read from the proposal they have already submitted to the instructor.

 

Assessment Task 4

Research Paper 2

Each student will also be responsible for a short research paper, approximately 3000 words in length. For this submission students will be permitted to choose a topic and write a research paper on an issue related to terrorism or counterterrorism which particularly interests them. Please note that the instructor must approve all student topics. To this end there will be a 400-word proposal due on Friday April 14th, 2023. Students will then schedule a meeting with the instructor on Wednesday April 19th, 2023 to discuss their proposal (see below). The final research paper is due Wednesday May 24th, 2023. More details will be provided in class and an outline detailing the specifics of the assignment will be posted to Wattle during Week 6. 

 

 

Proposal: Students will schedule a meeting with the instructor during office hours OR class time (10:00 - 14:00) on Wednesday April 19th to discuss their proposal. Each student will have 15 - 20 minutes to outline their proposal, answer questions and receive feedback and suggestions from the instructor. While this should not be viewed as a formal presentation, students are expected to informally explain and outline their proposal and NOT simply read from the proposal they have already submitted to the instructor.

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students