1. On completion of this module, you will be able to understand and critically analyse debates surrounding ‘old’ and ‘new’ terrorism.
2. On completion of this module, you will be able to understand, apply, and evaluate key sociological approaches towards the study of terrorism.
3. Critically evaluate the effectiveness and wider repercussions of national and international counter-terrorism.
4. On completion of this module, you will be able to express theories and ideas coherently in a structured written format.

The essay will assess students’ achievement of all three Learning Outcomes.
Opportunities for formative assessment will be provided on the module, in the form of one short essay plan. Learners will be given formative feedback on their draft work

This module provides students with the systematic theoretical and empirical study of ‘old’ and ‘new’ types of terrorism and political violence. The module commences with the analysis of theoretical and ideological approaches towards terrorism and an investigation of the historical context, causes and effects of old terrorism. To that end, students will be introduced to some of the key debates in the literature, such as the definition of terrorism. This will form the basis from which students will then explore issues such as state terrorism, the relationship between terrorism and the media, and the role of women in terrorism.

What is ‘terrorism’? That is the question that frames this module. Since 9/11 the word ‘terrorism’ has become part of our daily vernacular and yet there is significant confusion and debate about its meaning and its causes. This module enters into these debates and begins by looking at various definitions of ‘terrorism’ and the different types of ‘terrorism’. Can we say we have entered into a new era of ‘terrorism’?
With this grounding the module then moves onto look at various theories of ‘terrorism’ that attempt to offer some insight into the causes of ‘terrorism’. What are the religious, political, and socioeconomic dimensions of ‘terrorism’?
This module is designed to give you a strong grounding in the sociology of terrorism and encourage you to continue with the study of terrorism.

For 200 hours, of which 26 will be class contact and 174 hours will be guided independent study. Whole group contact will consist of lectures and seminars.
Learners will have the opportunity to submit formative assessment (in the form of a plan of key points they intend to include in their assessment & receive formative feedback) that informs the final summative coursework.

Amir Rana, M. (2005): The Seeds of Terrorism, London: New Millennium¿
Bjorgo, T. (ed) (2005) Root Causes of Terrorism: Myths, Realities and Ways Forward, London: Routledge.
Crenshaw, M. (2011) Explaining Terrorism: Causes, Processes and Consequences, New York: Routledge.
Fest, K.A. (2011) America Responds to Terrorism: Conflict Resolution Strategies of Clinton, Bush, and Obama, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Herschinger, E. (2011) Constructing Global Enemies: Hegemony and Identity in International Discourses on Terrorism and Drug Prohibition, New York: Routledge.
Jackson, R. (2016) (ed.) Routledge handbook of critical terrorism studies. London: Routledge
Jackson, R., & Sinclair, S. J. (Eds.). (2012). Contemporary debates on terrorism. Abingdon, UK: Routledge
Jackson, R., Jarvis, L., Gunning, J., & Breen Smyth, M. (2011). Terrorism: A critical introduction. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan
Jackson, R. (2005) Writing the War on Terrorism: Language, Politics and Counter-Terrorism, Manchester, University of Manchester Press.
LaFree, G. and Freilich, J.D. (2017) The Handbook of the Criminology of Terrorism. Wiley Blackwell.
Martin, G. (2011) Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies, Los Angeles: Sage.
Pedahzur, A. (ed) (2007) Root Causes of Suicide Terrorism: The Globalization of Martyrdom, New York: Routledge.
Sageman, M. (2007) Leaderless Jihad: Terror Networks in the Twenty-First Century, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Schmid, A. and Jongman, A. (1988) Political Terrorism: A New Guide to Actors, Authors, Concepts, Data bases, Theories, and Literature, Transaction Books: New Brunswick, NJ
Silke, A. (2004) Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievments and Failures, Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge.
Webel, C.P. and J.A. Arnaldi (eds) (2011) The Ethics and Efficacy of the Global War on Terrorism: Fighting Terror with Terror, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

The library
PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc.
Lecture rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work¿
The Blackboard virtual learning environment