Military Force and Counterterrorism
UndergraduateMUR-POL2322026
Investigate how the military responds to terrorist threats and has become a counterterrorism tool. Examine the counterinsurgency role of the Australian military since 9/11, along with peacekeeping and nation building operations
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 23 Feb 2026
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Military Force and Counterterrorism
About this subject
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Discuss the nature and scope of transnational terrorism and its main driver – radicalisation of societies and populations in the ‘Badlands' of the world.
- Analyse how military force can be used as an instrument of CT and COIN policies.
- Critically evaluate competing theoretical understandings of CT and COIN policies.
- Design comprehensive regional strategies to deal with violent extremism and terrorism.
- Effectively communicate evidence-based arguments in relation to contemporary CT and COIN operations in various regions.
- Conduct research on contemporary CT and COIN military operations and present the findings in presentations and in writing.
- Military force in International Society
- Military strategy as public policy
- The changing nature of transnational terrorism
- Addressing traditional security threats
- Peacekeeping, nation building and development
- Countering terrorism.
- Countering insurgencies
- Military force and ISIS
- Military force in Afghanistan
- Military force and Al-Shabaab (Somalia)
- The Revolution in Military Affairs and Australia
This subject focuses on the institution of the military and its role as a provider of security in the age of terrorism. We do this by focusing on three distinct issues. First, we look at the nature and scope of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks, focusing particularly on the growing problem of radicalisation and its links to terror groups operating mostly from the “Badlands” of the world. Second, we explore the role of the military in undertaking counterterrorism (CT) and counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in complex foreign conflict theatres. In this context, we analyse whether CT operations launched by US/Western military forces have succeeded in eliminating the threat posed by terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS and their affiliates; we also assess the effectiveness of COIN operations that US/Western military forces have undertaken in foreign countries to stabilise and rebuild states experiencing civil conflict. Finally, we analyse and compare CT and COIN operations launched in four different regions of the world – Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The unit concludes by looking at some of the problems and blowback effects of CT and COIN operations.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
Assessment in this subject includes an exam. Majority of OUA students will be required to complete their final exam remotely online (Remote eExam) via myMurdoch Learning (LMS), using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor. You will require a device meeting the minimum standards with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection and perform a one-time installation of ‘Respondus LockDown Browser’ using the unique Murdoch link. You are required to complete the mandatory practice quiz before the start of the exam period to ensure a smooth experience on the day. More information regarding Respondus can be found on the Remote eExam page: https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/RemoteExams
- Invigilated exam (open book) (40%)
- Interactive presentation online (supervised) (20%)
- Research Paper (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
To enrol in this subject, you must have passed a minimum of 12 credit points at 100-level.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMUR-BAR-DEG
UndergraduateMUR-BGS-DEG
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