Students

PICX313 – Strategies of Political Violence

2016 – SP2 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Sheryn Lee
sheryn.lee@mq.edu.au
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12 units including 6 PICX units
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Political violence is a key security challenge in the twenty first century. This unit examines the strategies of coercion which underpin the use of political violence. It uses key concepts from strategic, diplomacy and negotiation studies to explore the logic and intentions of violent political actors. It then examines the effects, both intended and unintended, of political violence. The unit uses examples from campaigns of political violence perpetrated by states and other actors and evaluates the responses of targets to strategies of violent coercion. The unit uses a range of Western and non-Western perspectives to explore the complexity of contemporary terrorism and political violence. 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.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Explain key concepts of strategy, negotiation, terrorism and political coercion
  • Interpret complex data on security incidents and formulate relevant policy recommendations
  • Critically assess utility and performance of various strategies of coercion employed by non-state actors against states
  • Critically appraise counter terrorism policies and practices of Australia and allied countries
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Research Project Question 30% Week 4 No
Research Project Proposal 30% Week 7 No
Research Project 30% Week 13 No
Research Effort/Presentation 10% Week 13 No

Research Project Question

Due: Week 4
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

Developed in consultation with the tutor and convenor—Proposal of research essay question, outline of research significance for theory and practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key concepts of strategy, negotiation, terrorism and political coercion

Research Project Proposal

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

Outline research argument as well as possible counter-arguments and how you will deal with them, outline of essay structure, and preliminary research findings demonstrating research from theoretical sources and empirical evidence.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key concepts of strategy, negotiation, terrorism and political coercion
  • Interpret complex data on security incidents and formulate relevant policy recommendations
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.

Research Project

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

3000 word Research Project findings
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key concepts of strategy, negotiation, terrorism and political coercion
  • Interpret complex data on security incidents and formulate relevant policy recommendations
  • Critically assess utility and performance of various strategies of coercion employed by non-state actors against states
  • Critically appraise counter terrorism policies and practices of Australia and allied countries
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.

Research Effort/Presentation

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

Final research project—Assessment of your collection and use of sources, breadth and depth of research, and the originality of empirical evidence and case studies. As demonstrated through your bibliography and citations and sources.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess utility and performance of various strategies of coercion employed by non-state actors against states

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of at least 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to pre-recorded lectures prior to seminar discussions and reading weekly required readings detailed in iLearn.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar sessions and external students are expected to contribute to on-line discussions.
  • Students are required to submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's Library Unit Readings.
  • Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed at Macquarie University's Library Unit Readings.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Personal PC and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help
  • For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted either as a Microsoft Office Word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convener. Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task. Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html#purpose).

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late. For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).
  • The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include references. It excludes the bibliography and title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of he awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately (http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html).
  • This process involves all assignments submitted for that unit being reassessed. However, in exceptional cases students may request that a single piece of work is reassessed.

Unit Schedule

Week 1                 Political violence

Week 2                 Who has the legitimate use of force: The state or non-state actors?

Week 3                 Contentious politics

Week 4                 State sponsored and communal violence

Week 5                 Political subversion and propaganda

Week 6                 Intelligence and categorizing

Week 7                 Coercion and concession

Week 8                 Co-optation and undercutting

Week 9                 Extrajudicial killing

Week 10               Torture and kidnapping

Week 11               Sexual violence

Week 12               Genocide

Week 13               Conclusion

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

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 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.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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.

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Research Project Question
  • Research Project Proposal
  • Research Effort/Presentation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Interpret complex data on security incidents and formulate relevant policy recommendations

Assessment task

  • Research Project

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain key concepts of strategy, negotiation, terrorism and political coercion
  • Interpret complex data on security incidents and formulate relevant policy recommendations
  • Critically assess utility and performance of various strategies of coercion employed by non-state actors against states
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Project Proposal
  • Research Project
  • Research Effort/Presentation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain key concepts of strategy, negotiation, terrorism and political coercion
  • Critically assess utility and performance of various strategies of coercion employed by non-state actors against states
  • Critically appraise counter terrorism policies and practices of Australia and allied countries
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Project Proposal
  • Research Project
  • Research Effort/Presentation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically assess utility and performance of various strategies of coercion employed by non-state actors against states
  • Critically appraise counter terrorism policies and practices of Australia and allied countries
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Project Question
  • Research Project Proposal
  • Research Project
  • Research Effort/Presentation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Critically appraise counter terrorism policies and practices of Australia and allied countries

Assessment tasks

  • Research Project Question
  • Research Project Proposal
  • Research Project

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Interpret complex data on security incidents and formulate relevant policy recommendations
  • Develop and deliver concise policy recommendations for counter terrorism policy in response to coercive strategies.