Students

PICT802 – Terrorism

2018 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Senior Lecturer
Julian Droogan
Contact via 9850 1425
Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
Tuesday afternoons 2-3 pm
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or MCPICT or PGDipPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or GradCertCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MTransInterMIntRel
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Few security issues define our times more than that of terrorism. This unit provides a solid foundation for terrorism studies at a postgraduate level, encouraging students to build a thorough understanding of the complex definitions, history, manifestations, and transformation of terrorism around the world. Terrorism will be critically examined as a tactic, as a strategy, and as a mode of communication. Students will explore the wider effects that terrorist discourse plays in contemporary global society, including debates around the nature and drivers of Islamist terrorism and key groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIL. The unit will also critically examine a series of current themes and questions in terrorism studies such as relationship between religion and terrorism, the media and terrorism, the realities of cyber and nuclear terrorism, the future of terrorism, and how academics can successfully conduct terrorism field research.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Active Participation 20% No Ongoing
Primary Source Critical Review 30% No Sunday Week Six
3500 Word Research Essay 50% No Sunday Week Eleven

Active Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Active participation refers to the demonstration of sustained informed and critical contributions to seminars or online forums, the demonstration of reflective intellectual practice, the completion of some online or in-class tasks, and the demonstration that you have engaged with the set reading materials for the course. Active participation will be partially seminar based for internal students, and online forum based for external and OUA students, It may include some online quizzes as well. Details on the requirement are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Primary Source Critical Review

Due: Sunday Week Six
Weighting: 30%

This assessment requires you to compare, contrast and critically assess two important peer-reviewed academic journal articles on terrorism studies. You will be expected to identify and cogently argue the strengths and weaknesses of these pieces, and contextualise them within the broader field of research on terrorism. Further instructions on this assignment will be available on the iLean site, and will be communicated in lectures. This task is due at midnight on the Sunday of Week Six. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

3500 Word Research Essay

Due: Sunday Week Eleven
Weighting: 50%

This assessment requires you to write a sustained 3500 word critical research essay on a key scholarly debate in terrorism studies. The essay will demonstrate that you have engaged with the academic literature on terrorism, that you have critically evaluated a range of perspectives, and synthesised them into a coherent argument. A series of possible essay questions that you can choose from will be displayed on the iLearn site. Instructions on the essay questions and further guidance for this task are available on the iLearn site, and will be communicated in lectures. This task is due at midnight on the Sunday of Week Eleven. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Delivery and Resources

DELIVERY AND RESOURCES

 

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in iLearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

 

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

 

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
  • In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

Unit Schedule

  1. Introduction
  2. Evaluating the Motivations, Means and Symbolism of Terrorism
  3. Key Critical Debates in Terrorism Studies 
  4. The History of Terrorism from its Beginnings to 911
  5. Case Study: Islam & Terrorism Part One – Background 
  6. Case Study: Islam & Terrorism Part Two – Al-Qaeda
  7. Case Study: Islam & Terrorism Part Three – ISIS and Beyond
  8. Terrorism and the State
  9. Terrorism and the Media
  10. CBRN Terrorism?
  11. Cyber Terrorism? 
  12. In the Field: Doing Terrorism Research
  13. Conclusion: Learning to Live With Terrorism?

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Primary Source Critical Review
  • 3500 Word Research Essay

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Primary Source Critical Review
  • 3500 Word Research Essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Primary Source Critical Review
  • 3500 Word Research Essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Primary Source Critical Review
  • 3500 Word Research Essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Primary Source Critical Review
  • 3500 Word Research Essay

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concept of terrorism and its academic investigation
  • Display engagement with the field of terrorism studies through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary terrorism and politically motivated violence literature.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately and integrate knowledge from diverse sources to evaluate its significance and relevance; synthesise material and present findings, rationally and lucidly.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Active Participation
  • Primary Source Critical Review
  • 3500 Word Research Essay

About this Unit

Unit description

This unit explores the evolution of terrorism and politically motivated violence, considers the motivations of terrorists and terrorist groups, and assesses trends in terrorism. The unit includes studies of terrorist and politically-motivated groups, including al-Qaeda and its affiliates, and the more recent threat posed by Islamic State, in order to enhance students' knowledge and understanding of the practitioners of terrorism and politically motivated violence. Please note: this unit will be offered as a one-week intensive block course.