Module SOC2112 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC2112: Introduction to Terrorism Studies
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
This module is an introduction to terrorism studies. We will discuss the major data sources used to empirically examine terrorism, the rates and trends in terrorism cross-nationally, whether groups differ in how they operate, the geopolitical factors that influence terrorism, as well as policy implications.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate knowledge of terrorism: the history, as well as rates and trends over time 2. Demonstrate an understanding of data sources used to study terrorism 3. Assess how rates of terrorism differ among groups and across countries |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Demonstrate understanding of key concepts pertaining to political and religiously motivated violence 5. Demonstrate understanding of theories and arguments in the field 6. Demonstrate a familiarity with the different methods of research in the field and their implications for relevant policy |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. Engage in group work to prepare presentations for class discussion 8. Demonstrate knowledge of descriptive statistics using quantitative data and statistical tools 9. Demonstrate written analytical skills by producing an essay on deadline |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
Definition debate
History of modern terrorism
Collecting data on terrorism
Analyzing terrorism data
Theoretical explanations for terrorism
Radicalization
Terrorist groups
Brief case study: Waves of Al Qaeda
Geopolitical factors
Research methods for the study of terrorism
Terrorism incident databases
Terrorism rates and trends
Counterterrorism implications
ISIS case study: group history, propaganda, violence trajectory
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
44 | 256 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 22 x 1 hour lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour tutorials |
Guided Independent Study | 90 | Reading assignments |
Guided independent study | 48 | Preparing for seminar |
Guided independent study | 118 | Preparation for essays |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).