Terrorism in the 21st Century

• • Terrorism and political violence
  • Coercion
  • Terrorist recruitment and group dynamics
  • Global media
  • Cyber and terrorist narrative
  • Counter-terrorism
  • Radicalisation and deradicalisation
  • State responses to terror threats
  • Policing and intelligence

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• MAQ-PICX113-Terrorism in the 21st Century (No longer available)

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

• MAQ-PICX1011-New Security Challenges

Others

Pre-requisite 50cp at 1000 level or above NCCW (pre-2020 units) PICT113, PICX113

Additional requirements

• Other requirements -

  Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

This subject provides a critical introduction to the causes, strategies, and tactics of terrorists and violent extremists in the twenty-first century, and some possible solutions to these problems. It explores the global origins and history of terrorism as a means of political coercion, evaluates the effectiveness of terrorism as a strategy, and examines how terrorism and violent extremism are changing in the twenty-first century. Attention will be given to case studies looking at various religious, political, and far-right and far-left ideological terrorist and violent extremist organisations. By the end of this unit, students will gain an understanding of the dynamics that underpin twenty-first century terrorism and violent extremism, as well as evaluate both hard and soft approaches to countering these. Special attention will be focused on the sources of successful and ethical countering strategies; understanding mechanisms of radicalisation to and from violent extremism; evaluating proportionate state response to terror and violent extremist threats; and assessing the role of new technologies such as social media on how terrorist groups operate.

• Critical Review (30%)
• Online test (20%)
• Research Essay (50%)

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).