Delivered at:: School of International Affairs

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 3 year, 4 module

Instructor

Safranchuk, Ivan

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Terrorism has arguably been one of the defining factors of our age. It frequently makes headlines, threatening or attacking governments, private business and ordinary citizens. And in many parts of the world, it has been one of the most important threats to peace, security and stability. But what does this exactly mean? What is the nature of this threat? Who or what is threatened, how, by whom and why? What can be done about it or how can we at least limit the impact of terrorism and make sure that terrorists do not make headlines and manage to scare us? These are just a handful of questions that will be addressed in this course that consists of three parts. First it focuses on the essence of terrorism as an instrument to achieve certain goals, in addition to an exploration of this phenomenon and the difficulties in defining it. The second part provides an overview of the state of the art in (counter) terrorism studies. Since ‘9/11’ terrorism studies have grown exponentially, reflecting the rise in perceived threats. But what has academia come up with? What theories, assumptions and conventional wisdom has it produced that could be of help in understanding terrorism and dealing with it? The most interesting results are examined and compared with empirical evidence with the aim to either stress their importance or to debunk them as myths. The final part looks into the implications and possibilities for policy making. The course ends with a module specifically designed to address one of today's most topical issue: the foreign fighter phenomenon.

Learning Objectives

To give a student basic knowledge about the modern counterterrorism strategies.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Explains how counter-terrorism measures are implemented practically;
Explains real reasons for terrorism;
Explains the concepts of fear management and resilience;
Explains what exactly is terrorism, who and where its victims are;
Explains what extent foreign fighters pose a threat and which policy options are available to address this phenomenon;
Explains what kind of counterterrorism practices are existed;
Explains where the key centres on studying terrorism are located;
Explains where the key scholars who study terrorism are located;
Explains who foreign fighters are and why they are going to war;

Course Contents

Welcome & the essence of terrorism
Researching Terrorism and Counterterrorism
5 Assumptions on Terrorism
5 Assumptions on Counterterrorism
Dealing with Terrorism and the Future
Making Headlines Today - Foreign Fighters

Assessment Elements

Midterm test
Final test
Экзамен будет проходить в форме теста. Вопросы теста – открытые. На выполнение теста будет отводиться 6 часов: вопросы будут предоставлены зарегистрированным на курс студентам по электронной почте в день проведения экзамена в соответствии с расписанием, ответы на вопросы теста должны быть получены на указанный преподавателем при рассылке теста адрес электронной почты. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено плагиатить, разрешено цитировать работы исследователей, указывая ссылки. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается прерывание связи до 10 минут. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается прерывание связи 10 минут и более. Процедура пересдачи аналогична процедуре сдачи.
Midterm test
Final test
Экзамен будет проходить в форме теста. Вопросы теста – открытые. На выполнение теста будет отводиться 6 часов: вопросы будут предоставлены зарегистрированным на курс студентам по электронной почте в день проведения экзамена в соответствии с расписанием, ответы на вопросы теста должны быть получены на указанный преподавателем при рассылке теста адрес электронной почты. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено плагиатить, разрешено цитировать работы исследователей, указывая ссылки. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается прерывание связи до 10 минут. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается прерывание связи 10 минут и более. Процедура пересдачи аналогична процедуре сдачи.

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 4th module
0.5 * Midterm test + 0.5 * Final test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Barber, B. (2013). Jihad Vs. McWorld : Terrorism’s Challenge to Democracy (Vol. Unabridged). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=745350
CORNISH, P. (2010). Technology, strategy and counterterrorism. International Affairs, 86(4), 875–888. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2346.2010.00917.x

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Hoffman, B., & Huffman, B. (2003). THE LOGIC OF SUICIDE TERRORISM. (cover story). Atlantic, 291(5), 40. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=f5h&AN=9730945

Bachelor’s Programme 'International Relations'

Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice