Students

PICT8043 – International Terrorism

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Andrew Tan
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrim or MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or GradCertPICT or GradCertCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or admission to BSecStudMCTerrorism or BSecStudMCrim or BSecStudMCyberSecAnalysis or BSecStudMIntell or BSecStudMSecStrategicStud or (10cps at 6000 level or 10cps 8000 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to key issues and challenges of the new global terrorism which emerged after the end of the Cold War. The unit begins by exploring the seminal events of 9-11, the nature and challenge of the new global terrorism and the responses of the United States and other key states to it. The unit then examines the definition, causes and tactics of terrorist groups, as well as various terrorism typologies, which illustrate the diversity and complexity of terrorist groups and motivations. The unit also assesses counter-terrorism strategies as well as international counter-terrorism and policing cooperation. This unit utilizes perspectives and knowledge drawn from history, terrorism studies, foreign policy, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency to examine, in a holistic manner, the phenomenon of contemporary terrorism and how to counter it.

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:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate familiarity with and the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on terrorism.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate strong empirical knowledge of the key developments and issues in terrorism.
  • ULO3: Apply independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills in the analysis of terrorism.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

Special Consideration (previously known as “Disruption to Study”)

Please note that students who miss tutorials or require extensions for any assignment must apply through the formal university process known as “Special Consideration.” Convenors are not allowed to grant tutorial waivers or assignment waivers; students must apply formally through Special Consideration with the appropriate documentation.

Engagement: Ongoing assessment

For internal students, attendance and engagement in the weekly seminar is expected. A minimum attendance in 10 seminars is required. Engagement involves demonstrating, through oral activities and assignments, critical thinking and understanding of the required readings, as well as demonstrated ability to address the major themes and questions raised in unit materials.

For external students, the recordings of the seminars will be posted and engagement through at minimum 10 online forums is required.  Engagement in seminar activities must be completed by the assigned date. Participation will not be counted beyond the allocated time-frame. Grades are dependent on such criteria as stated in the engagement rubric.

As part of engagement, students are required to take the Online Test in Week 4, which opens online on Monday 16 March and closes on Sunday 22 March. Once you begin the simple multiple-choice test, you have 15 minutes to complete. Completion of the test counts towards your engagement.

Submission of Assignments

All assignments must be submitted electronically by the due date via the appropriate assignment link in ilearn. Note that no assignment can be marked if submitted more than 7 calendar days after the deadline unless Special Consideration has been granted.  

Late Submission Penalty

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 more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You are required to read the weekly materials as detailed in iLearn, participate in in-class or online discussions (depending on whether you are an internal or external student), and prepare and submit assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar / tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to the weekly online discussions.
  • 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/

 

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

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Week 1: Introduction

Week 2: 9/11 and the US Response

Week 3: US Strategy Against Terrorism and Insurgency

Week 4: Definitions, Causes, Tactics and Weapons

Week 5: Ethno-Nationalist and Left / Right-wing Terrorism

Week 6: Religious Terrorism

Week 7: The Islamic State

Week 8: Counter Terrorism Strategies

Week 9: Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)

Week 10: Local Policing and Counter-Terrorism

Week 11: Global Policing and Counter-Terrorism

Week 12: Terrorism in the Malay Archipelago

Week 13: Southeast Asia’s Approach to Counter-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:

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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.