Students

PICT8018 – Counter Terrorism

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mariam Farida
mariam.farida@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertStrategicPolicy or MStrategySec or MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or GradCertPICT or GradCertCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MCTerrorism or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCTerrorismMCrim or admission to BSecStudMCTerrorism
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will examine the structure and components of global counter-terrorism policies and initiatives. It will explore the relationships between foreign policy, international relations, and community dynamics exposing students to the complexity involved in delivering and evaluating effective solutions to the dynamic security threats posed by violent extremism. It will consider the complex and inter-connected roles played by organisations at a global, national and local level. Contemporary literature drawn from terrorism studies and real-world case-studies will expose students to important theoretical arguments relating to radicalisation, de-radicalisation, and desistance and how these impact on the delivery of effective counter-terrorism strategies.

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 a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concepts of counter terrorism and countering violent extremism.
  • ULO2: Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms that shape counter terrorism through the examination and exploration of contemporary global and Australian specific policies, programs, and initiatives.
  • ULO3: Investigate a substantial body of contemporary counter terrorism and countering violent extremism literature.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive arguments cogently and coherently.
  • ULO5: 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.
  • ULO6: Demonstrate higher level skills in critical analysis.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Research Essay 50% No Week 12 Individual No Open AI
Policy Note 30% No Week 7 Individual No Open AI
Problem set 20% No Week 10 Individual No Open AI

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

Students will complete a major research essay that relates to a topic related to counter terrorism
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concepts of counter terrorism and countering violent extremism.
  • Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms that shape counter terrorism through the examination and exploration of contemporary global and Australian specific policies, programs, and initiatives.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary counter terrorism and countering violent extremism literature.
  • 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.

Policy Note

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

Students will complete a policy note that relates to a topic related to counter terrorism

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concepts of counter terrorism and countering violent extremism.
  • Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms that shape counter terrorism through the examination and exploration of contemporary global and Australian specific policies, programs, and initiatives.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary counter terrorism and countering violent extremism literature.
  • 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.

Problem set

Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

Students will complete a problem set.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of critical comprehension regarding the concepts of counter terrorism and countering violent extremism.
  • Display engagement with the theoretical and practical paradigms that shape counter terrorism through the examination and exploration of contemporary global and Australian specific policies, programs, and initiatives.
  • Investigate a substantial body of contemporary counter terrorism and countering violent extremism literature.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

lectures and online content

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 2026.05 of the Handbook