Students
MHIS2000 – A History of Terrorism
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mark Hearn
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Few issues demand as much attention, in the military, political, and media spheres, as terrorist attacks. Each new attack unleashes a torrent of questions: how can attacks be prevented, who is responsible? Since the French Revolution terrorism has shadowed the unfolding of the modern world. Developing political and economic systems have generated violent reactions; regimes have resorted to terror as instruments of suppression and control. Terrorists have struck in the name of nationalism, religion and anarchy. In this course, we will examine terrorism historically as a form of insurgency that allowed violent extremists a low-cost route to political influence. We will address the historic evolution of terrorism since the nineteenth century, and governments' efforts to counteract it. The modern world cannot be understood without exploring the nature of terrorism, and the unit will examine manifestations of terrorism in western and non-western contexts, from the Jacobins to Islamic State.
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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: Analyse the nature of terrorism in the modern period of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- ULO2: Apply key scholarly and historiographical concepts related to an understanding of modern terrorism in assessment tasks.
- ULO3: Interpret relevant primary sources and secondary materials relevant to the history of terrorism.
- ULO4: Construct evidence based arguments about the history of terrorism in written and oral, visual or digital forms.
General Assessment Information
Late penalty policy:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historiography Assignment | 25% | No | 23:59 20/08/2021 |
| Presentation | 15% | No | Various dates |
| Research Essay | 40% | No | 23:59 8/10/2021 |
| Participation | 20% | No | Weekly through semester |
Historiography Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23:59 20/08/2021
Weighting: 25%
Students are required to write a critical appraisal of historian’s perspectives on terrorism, based on an analysis of key themes and issues covered in two book chapters or scholarly journal articles.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse the nature of terrorism in the modern period of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Apply key scholarly and historiographical concepts related to an understanding of modern terrorism in assessment tasks.
- Interpret relevant primary sources and secondary materials relevant to the history of terrorism.
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Various dates
Weighting: 15%
The presentation task is designed to assess oral communication skills and grasp of the issues under discussion. Presentations are in-class for internal students, and online presentations via iLearn for external and OUA students.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse the nature of terrorism in the modern period of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Apply key scholarly and historiographical concepts related to an understanding of modern terrorism in assessment tasks.
- Construct evidence based arguments about the history of terrorism in written and oral, visual or digital forms.
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 23:59 8/10/2021
Weighting: 40%
The research essay forms the major assessment task of the course and requires a high degree of thought, effort and preparation. The research essay questions related to each of the weekly course topics. Students are required to analyse and discuss at least eight scholarly books or journal articles relevant to the essay question. Web sites may be cited in addition to the minimum eight scholarly texts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse the nature of terrorism in the modern period of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Apply key scholarly and historiographical concepts related to an understanding of modern terrorism in assessment tasks.
- Interpret relevant primary sources and secondary materials relevant to the history of terrorism.
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Weekly through semester
Weighting: 20%
Students will be assessed on their participation in weekly discussion forums analysing primary and secondary source issues and developing their oral communication skills.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse the nature of terrorism in the modern period of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Interpret relevant primary sources and secondary materials relevant to the history of terrorism.
- Construct evidence based arguments about the history of terrorism in written and oral, visual or digital forms.
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
Writing your history essay The Department of Modern History has an essay writing and referencing guide available on iLearn. Please read it before you embark on your assessment tasks!
Participation Active participation in in-class or online seminars is an essential component of the course and three or more absences from the seminars without prior notification and adequate explanation may mean you fail this unit.
Examination(s) There is no examination for MHIS/MHIX2000 but all assignments need to be submitted if you wish to pass the unit.
Assignment submission Please submit all assignments via Turnitin on iLearn. Assignments must include a heading that identifies the question chosen and a bibliography.
Special Consideration Please note that requests for special consideration are not granted automatically, and are reserved for unforeseen and serious circumstances such as prolonged illness, hospitalisation or bereavement in your immediate family.
Unit Schedule
MHIS2000 A History of Terrorism
Unit Schedule
Week 1 (26 July): Introduction – Defining Terrorism and Overview
Week 2 (2 August): Virtue and Terror: Terrorism from 1789 to 1871
Week 3 (9 August): Fin de Siècle Terror, 1880-1914
Week 4 (16 August): Regime Terror, 1922-1945
Week 5 (23 August): Anti-Colonial Terrorism, 1945-1962
Week 6 (30 August): Terror in the Cultural Sixties
Week 7 (6 September): Revolutionary and Nationalist Terror in the 1970s
Week 8 (13 September): Islamist Terrorism
Mid Semester Break: 17 September - 3 October
Week 9 (4 October): Research Essay non-teaching week
Week 10 (11 October): The Vietnam War and White Power
Week 11 (18 October): Australia and the War on Terror
Week 12 (25 October): Identity Christian Terrorism
Week 13 (1 November): The Alt-Right and Terror
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.01R of the Handbook