Terror and terrorist acts are common events in the contemporary world, but much of the public debate about terrorism is ignorant of the long history of the phenomenon. This course explores the history of terror, terrorism and counter-terrorism around the globe since the late eighteenth century. Beginning with the birth of modern terrorism — 'The Terror' of Revolutionary France — it examines how terror has been used, justified, changed and fought. A series of case studies will seek to answer what distinguishes terrorism from other forms of violence, why it emerges, how it has changed and how it ends. Case studies include the French Revolution, anarchist terrorism, terror in the Russian Empire, lynching in the United States, Thugs and fanatics in India, aerial bombardment and drones, terror in the the Algerian War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Northern Ireland, apartheid South Africa, the War on Terror and contemporary far-Right terror by White supremacists.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate a good understanding of how terror and terrorism has been employed over the last two centuries;
- evaluate and critically analyse case studies in the history of terror and terrorism;
- conduct research that demonstrates engaging with both primary sources and secondary literature;
- formulate logical arguments substantiated with primary source evidence and historiography; and
- use evidence, apply theory, formulate arguments and express views in both oral and written form.
Indicative Assessment
- Essay Proposal (400 words) (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Essay (2000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Lecture Group Reports (2x300 words) (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Tutorial Group Reports (2x300 words) (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Final examination (30) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course will comprise 130 hours of study. This will include 36 contact hours, involving a combination of lectures and group discussion.
Prescribed Texts
None. Course contents to be made available via Wattle.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7236 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |