Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convener and lecturer
Julian Droogan
Contact via Email
By appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
50cp at 1000 level or above
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides a critical introduction to the causes, strategies, and tactics of terrorists and violent extremists in the twenty-first century, and some possible solutions to these problems. It explores the global origins and history of terrorism as a means of political coercion, evaluates the effectiveness of terrorism as a strategy, and examines how terrorism and violent extremism are changing in the twenty-first century. Attention will be given to case studies looking at various religious, political, and far-right and far-left ideological terrorist and violent extremist organisations. By the end of this unit, students will gain an understanding of the dynamics that underpin twenty-first century terrorism and violent extremism, as well as evaluate both hard and soft approaches to countering these. Special attention will be focused on the sources of successful and ethical countering strategies; understanding mechanisms of radicalisation to and from violent extremism; evaluating proportionate state response to terror and violent extremist threats; and assessing the role of new technologies such as social media on how terrorist groups operate. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Research Essay | 50% | No | Please see iLearn for details |
Online test | 20% | No | Please see iLearn for details |
Critical Review | 30% | No | Please see iLearn for details |
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: Please see iLearn for details
Weighting: 50%
The major essay is a demonstration of the student’s ability to research, conceptualise, and communicate a sustained scholarly argument based upon a thesis. Students will be given a list of essay questions related to the unit curriculum and asked to research, prepare, and express a cogent response to one chosen question in a clear, concise, and academically formal manner. The major essay will demonstrate how thoroughly the student has researched the academic literature pertaining to an issue, how well they can use critical thinking and logic to devise an appropriate argument, and how well they can structure and express this argument in a sustained and convincing manner.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Please see iLearn for details
Weighting: 20%
An online test will be administered in the final week of the unit to assess knowledge and understanding of all the unit materials, including lectures, case studies, and readings.
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: Please see iLearn for details
Weighting: 30%
The critical review is a written paper examining a hotly debated and controversial topic related to terrorism and violent extremism in the 21st Century. It requires the informed and scholarly consideration of all sides of the background of the debate, the evaluation and weighing up of evidence, and the application of appropriate theory to unpacking the complexities of the debate in a critical and measured manner. Topics could include subjects such as: why or why isn’t a particular group considered to be ‘terrorists’; to what extent is the internet responsible for radicalisation of young people to violent extremism; terrorism can best be stopped through the adoption of hard or soft countering measures etc.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
REQUIRED READINGS
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS
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
REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER
STAFF AVAILABILITY
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).
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 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
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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
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.