Students

PICX8043 – International Terrorism

2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Convenor
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 (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

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Engagement 5% No On-going
Tests 15% No 12 pm: 20 Mar (Wk 4), 1 May (Wk 8), 5 Jun (Wk 13)
Minor Essay 20% No 28 March (Week 5)
Major Essay 60% No 23 May (Week 11)

Engagement

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: On-going
Weighting: 5%

 

OUA students are required to engage actively in the weekly online discussion forums. Engagement marks are awarded for participating in the online discussions.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with and the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on terrorism.
  • Demonstrate strong empirical knowledge of the key developments and issues in terrorism.

Tests

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: 12 pm: 20 Mar (Wk 4), 1 May (Wk 8), 5 Jun (Wk 13)
Weighting: 15%

 

The tests will test student understanding of the lectures and assigned reading material.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate strong empirical knowledge of the key developments and issues in terrorism.

Minor Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: 28 March (Week 5)
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assignment is to help students develop the necessary skills in critically reviewing academic work that they read. The minor essay is a review of an academic article from the designated list of articles.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with and the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on terrorism.
  • Apply independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills in the analysis of terrorism

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 23 May (Week 11)
Weighting: 60%

 

The major essay is a substantive piece of work that answers any of the tutorial questions.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with and the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on terrorism.
  • Demonstrate strong empirical knowledge of the key developments and issues in terrorism.
  • Apply independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills in the analysis of terrorism

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

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 and tutors 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 / OUA students, the recordings of the lectures will be posted and engagement through at minimum 10 online forums is required.  Engagement in the online forums 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.

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 penalty for lateness will apply (see iLearn for details on this). 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.

Unit Schedule

Week 1: Introduction

Part 1 US Responses to 9-11

Week 2: 9-11 and US Response

Week 3: US Strategy Against Terrorism and Insurgency

Part 2 Global Terrorism Studies

Week 4: Definitions, Causes, Tactics and Weapons

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

Week 6: Religious Terrorism

Week 7: Islamic State

Week 8: Counter Terrorism Strategies

Week 9: Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)

Part 3 Policing and Counter-Terrorism

Week 10 Local Policing and Counter-Terrorism

Week 11 Global Policing and Counter-Terrorism

Part 4 Southeast Asia and 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://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.