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PICX8037 – Choosing Terror: Pathways into Terrorism

2025 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lise Waldek
lise.waldek@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Samantha Jones
samantha.jones1@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or GradCertPICT or GradCertCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCTerrorismMCrim or admission to BSecStudMCTerrorism
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
PICT8037
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines the complex webs of networks and relationships involved in the development and evolution of violent extremism. These dynamics will be examined through a socio-cultural theoretical framework that draws upon contemporary terrorist scholarship including social media analysis and facilitates a critical examination of violent extremism. The unit will expose students to the complex web of socio-cultural, psychological, ideological, political and economic dynamics that produce, sustain, evolve and dissolve terrorism and violent extremism. Real world case-studies drawing on violent extremist activities, counter policies and initiatives will assist students in the formulation of sustained and persuasive arguments and techniques relating to current and future trends and patterns in the field of terrorist studies. The unit will establish a strong grounding in the theoretical constructs and techniques for a future career in the broader security discipline All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

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: Identify, examine and analyse texts, concepts and theories relating to the social construction of terrorism and violent extremism
  • ULO2: Identify, investigate and evaluate the dynamics that impact on the development, evolution and dissolution of terrorism and violent extremism
  • ULO3: Critique contemporary literature relating to concepts of terrorism and violent extremism
  • ULO4: Formulate sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments that demonstrates the ability to select and evaluate appropriate sources of information. 
  • ULO5: Demonstrate higher-level skills in critical analysis

General Assessment Information

Literature Review

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing  Indicative Time on Task 2: 39 hours Due: Week 7 Weighting: 40%

A critical literature review assessment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concepts of countering violent extremism and terrorism.
  • Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms that shape the dynamics that influence engagement in violent extremism and terrorism through the examination and exploration of contemporary academic and grey literature.
  • Model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriate knowledge and evidence from diverse sources in order to effectively evaluate its significance and relevance; formulate sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Engagement Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours Due: Week 10 Weighting: 10%

This Quiz is drawn from the readings and lectures of the unit. 

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concepts and dynamics that shape engagement in/with violent extremism and terrorism.
  • Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms that shape contemporary understandings of engagement with/in violent extremism and terrorism.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary literature - academic and grey literature - and research into the dynamics that shape engagement in/with violent extremism and terrorism.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours Due: Week 12 Weighting: 50%

The completion of a 3,000 word Research Essay allows students to develop core disciplinary knowledge, enhance research and critical thinking skills, demonstrate effective written communication skills, and demonstrate originality. Students will select one essay from a list provided on the unit iLearn page. The questions will reflect issues covered by the course content and materials.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the key concepts that shape contemporary understandings of violent extremism and terrorism.
  • Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms and research agendas that shape examination and exploration of violent extremism and terrorism.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary literature including academic research and grey literature investigating violent extremism and terrorism.
  • 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 appropriate knowledge and evidence from diverse sources in order to effectively evaluate its significance and relevance; formulate sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments.
  • Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

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

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Literature Review 40% No Week 7
Quiz 10% No Week 10
Research Essay 50% No Week 12

Literature Review

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 40%

 

A critical literature review

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, examine and analyse texts, concepts and theories relating to the social construction of terrorism and violent extremism
  • Identify, investigate and evaluate the dynamics that impact on the development, evolution and dissolution of terrorism and violent extremism
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to concepts of terrorism and violent extremism
  • Formulate sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments that demonstrates the ability to select and evaluate appropriate sources of information. 
  • Demonstrate higher-level skills in critical analysis

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 10%

 

The quiz will include questions drawn from the weekly lectures and the required reading materials for the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, examine and analyse texts, concepts and theories relating to the social construction of terrorism and violent extremism

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 50%

 

Students will select one essay question from the list provided to all students on the unit iLearn site. The essay questions are drawn from the material and content covered over the 13 weeks of the unit. The research essay provides students an opportunity to develop core disciplinary knowledge, enhance research and critical thinking skills, demonstrate effective written communication skills and demonstrate originality.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, examine and analyse texts, concepts and theories relating to the social construction of terrorism and violent extremism
  • Identify, investigate and evaluate the dynamics that impact on the development, evolution and dissolution of terrorism and violent extremism
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to concepts of terrorism and violent extremism
  • Formulate sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments that demonstrates the ability to select and evaluate appropriate sources of information. 
  • Demonstrate higher-level skills in critical analysis

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

The in-class seminar takes place every Wednesday 3pm - 5pm in 12SW Rm 407. 

All resources will be available on iLearn.

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2025.04 of the Handbook